Who said holiday baking had to be time consuming? With this quick, easy, healthy and chocolately treat you will be in and out of the kitchen in no time! Makes a great gift or addition to your cookie tray.
Toasted Almond and Coconut Chocolate Squares
Delicious, easy and fast! Gluten free, dairy free and sugar free (if you opt for the carob option).
Add a little peppermint extract for a holiday flare!
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 5 min
Set Time: 10-15 min
Makes about 12-16 squares (4cmx4cm)
Ingredients:
1/8 cup of coconut butter
1/4 cup of coconut oil
1/2 cup of almond butter or organic unsalted peanut butter
1/2 cup of honey
2 tsp of vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp of cacao (raw or roasted) powder
1/4 cup dried figs (sliced)
1/2 cup toasted almonds or roasted hazelnut (rough chop)
1/4 cup of unsweetened coconut flakes
pinch of salt
Cacao alternative:
Carob, is a good an alternative to chocolate if you want or need to avoid chocolate. Carob is naturally sweet and therefore eliminates the need for a honey sweetener.
3/4 cup of raw carob powder in place of the cacao.
Preparation:
To toast the almonds or hazelnuts- place nuts on a baking dish in a 325F oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. When roasted properly, the nuts will be fragrant while roasting and be light brown when chopped. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
In a medium saucepan, melt the coconut butter, oil and almond or other butter together, stirring constantly.
Stir in vanilla extract.
Slowly stir in the cacao or carob powder.
When well mixed add the figs, almonds/hazelnuts, flakes and salt.
Line a 8x8 baking dish or cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the mixture onto the dish or sheet.
With a wax paper, press down the carob mix in a uniform manner or make it organic and just it spread out to a thickness of 2cm.
Place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes for a quick set. Cut up into squares or break into rough pieces, your choice.
Store in freezer for 2-3 weeks or fridge.
For Christmas flare: add 1-2 drops of a peppermint essential oil or extract.
© anna-z-nutrition