Chewy Chocolate Coconut Bars

I came up with this recipe the day after Halloween when my husband and kids were stuffing their faces with candy bars full of refined sugars and artificial ingredients that I wasn’t about to allow pass my lips…but at the same time feeling a little blue that I wasn’t eating those delicious Almond Joy bars that my kids turned their noses up at. I really haven’t missed eating sweets all that much, but fill my house with candy and it was hard not to miss them, at least a little.I have made these a few times, and everyone loves them…the problem is I don’t ever write anything down when I am making treats for myself. I just throw things that sound good at the moment into the food processor and hope for the best. So they always turn out a little different, but they always turn out a lot delicious.What I’m saying is, it’s not rocket science! If you want them a little sweeter add more dates, if you want them a little more like a delicious protein bar add a little more almond butter and less dates.

Dates have become my kids and I’s favorite thing-I never even had a date until a couple months ago, and seriously! Who needs candy? They are sticky little yummy morsels of natural sugar. If you’re a little hesitant to try them on their own, definitely try them as a sweetener in a dessert like this one. You will love the results!

1 1/2 c. pitted dates (Costco sells a large bag for around five bucks)
1 c. Unsweetened Coconut
1/2 c. Melted Coconut Oil (Costco sells a big tub, at a great price, I use it for EVERYTHING-coconut oil is the best!)
1/2 c. Almond Butter (Again, Costco has a great deal on a GOOD almond butter)
pinch sea salt
1/2 c. Melted Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

Grease an 8×8 pan
Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to food processor and pulse a few times.
Turn it on and let it mix until it is smooth to your liking. I don’t mind a little texture, but my husband prefers it completely pureed, totally up to you.
Press mixture into the greased pan and put in the freezer for a few minutes to harden.
In the mean time melt chocolate chips
When bars are chilled and hard, spread chocolate on top, it will immediately start to harden.
Put back in the freezer until hardened completely.
Cut into squares and keep in an airtight container in fridge or freezer…if you don’t eat them all first.

Tiffany @Making the World Cuter

Tiffany is a stay at home mom to four ridiculously cute kids and wife to one smoking hot Mc Dreamy lookalike. She loves photography, chocolate chip cookies and sunshine. She is the founder of Making the World Cuter, a site committed to doing just what the title states; Making the world cuter, one kid, photograph, outfit, yummy treat or crafty thing at a time. Come follow her on Pinterest and Instagram too!