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    You are at:Home»Dairy-Free Recipes»Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes»Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars for Plant-Based & Paleo Snacking

    Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars for Plant-Based & Paleo Snacking

    19
    By Alisa Fleming on January 5, 2014 Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes, Breakfast, Dairy Free Desserts, Dairy-Free Recipes, Dairy-Free Snack Recipes

    Ever since a certain nut and fruit bar company was bought out by a mega-corporation, and their bars subsequently shrunk up a bit in size, I’ve been experimenting at home with my own tasty blends. So far, my two favorites are my Raw Pecan Pie Bars / Bites (recipe in Eat Dairy Free) and these Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars.

    Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars Recipe - dairy-free, plant-based, paleo, raw, and gluten-free. Like Homemade Larabars.

    I mean, up to three types of chocolate in one snack recipe, what’s not to love? To further up the ante, these fudge bars are made with nutritious dates, nuts, and don’t contain a drop of dairy or an ounce of gluten. The nuts add a little protein while the fruit and chocolate provide some all-natural, quick and tasty energy. As an added bonus, these healthy snack bars are safe for those schools with peanut-free policies.

    Mix-it-Up

    This recipe can easily be customized to your tastes. If cashews aren’t your game, use 5 ounces of your favorite nut and omit the coconut oil (most nuts have more fat than cashews). You can also swap the cocoa powder for carob powder or even a dairy-free milk powder or protein powder. Also, note that the cacao nibs add a nice crunch to the bars, but chocolate chips alone will certainly be delicious, too.

    Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars Recipe - dairy-free, plant-based, paleo, raw, and gluten-free. Like Homemade Larabars.

    Special Diet Notes: Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars

    These fudge bars are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

    Soy-Free Option: Some chocolate chips do contain a small amount of soy lecithin. Look for soy-free brands like Enjoy Life, or opt for soy-free cacao nibs.

    Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars (Homemade Larabars)
     
    Print
    Prep time
    10 mins
    Total time
    10 mins
     
    I originally created this recipe for Applegate. See the notes in my post above for optional modifications to customize this recipe.
    Author: Alisa Fleming
    Recipe type: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Serves: About 8 servings
    Ingredients
    • 1 cup (140 grams) cashews
    • 16 dates (approximately 320 grams)*
    • 1 tablespoon melted, warm coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup cocoa powder, or more to taste
    • 1/16 teaspoon salt, or to taste
    • Up to ½ cup dairy-free dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips (minis if you’ve got them), cacao nibs, or a combination of the two (for a triple chocolate effect)
    Instructions
    1. Grind the cashews in your spice grinder or food processor. They will turn into a flour; if a few little chunks remain, not a problem - it will add some texture.
    2. Place the dates in a bowl or in your food processor with the oil and vanilla. Mash with a fork, or combine with a food processor.
    3. Add the ground cashews, cocoa powder, and salt, and mash or blend until everything is well-combined.
    4. Stir / press in the chips and/or nibs.
    5. Shape the mixture into balls or press it out onto a cutting board lined with parchment paper and gently cut into bars (big or small).
    6. I prefer to store these bars in the refrigerator or freezer for optimum freshness, but they will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for at least a few days.
    Notes
    It is best to use dates that are fairly fresh. If your dates are a bit dry, you can soak them in water for 5 to 10 minutes, drain, and then add them to the recipe. This will reduce the shelf-life a little.
    3.5.3229

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    Alisa Fleming
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    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

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    19 Comments

    1. Pingback: Over 50 Healthy Ways to Enjoy Chocolate for Breakfast

    2. Dee Burke on October 8, 2015 10:08 am

      oh wow, just made a batch for our local la leche league meeting tommorow, hopefully the toddlers wont devour all of them before the mums get to them 🙂

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on October 8, 2015 1:46 pm

        Well, at least they are healthy enough for the toddlers, too 🙂

        Reply
    3. Amy Basso on May 17, 2015 8:44 am

      Wow, these look ooey, gooey and oh-so good!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on May 17, 2015 9:08 am

        Thanks Amy!

        Reply
    4. Sam @ PancakeWarriors on May 17, 2015 6:31 am

      Oh I love using dates to sweeten my desserts! What a great recipe – looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on May 17, 2015 9:09 am

        Thank you Sam!

        Reply
    5. Arman @ thebigmansworld on May 17, 2015 3:34 am

      Alisa I am drooling at 6.34am….Seriously, these are my kind of bars, store bought…Remind me one day to tell you my mini larabar story.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on May 17, 2015 9:09 am

        And the beauty is, you can eat them at 6:34am 🙂 Would love to hear that story!

        Reply
    6. Manila Spoon on May 16, 2015 8:19 pm

      These chocolate fudge bars look luscious! Love that they are a healthier version, too!

      Reply
    7. Pingback: Eating Real Food On the Go!

    8. Loretta on January 13, 2014 1:36 pm

      When I first saw this picture, I thought the white in it was cooked quinoa. What if I ground up quinoa instead of cashews? Any thoughts

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on January 13, 2014 2:17 pm

        I think that would yield quite a different result. But don’t hesitate to trial out your own versions Loretta!

        Reply
    9. Kristina on January 11, 2014 8:01 pm

      these are SO GOOD – just made them tonight and I am on my second square – YUM

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on January 12, 2014 10:04 am

        So glad you liked my recipe lady! That means a lot coming from the amazing Spa Bettie 🙂

        Reply
    10. Dreena Burton on January 11, 2014 2:21 pm

      oh my…. these are right up my street! They look fudgy and gooey and altogether scrumptious! Thanks Alisa!

      Reply
    11. Maggie on January 6, 2014 4:30 am

      Oh my goodness! These look AH-Mazing Alisa!!!! I make a similar one but with nut butter, I am a sucker for desserts with dates 🙂 Happy New Year!

      Reply
    12. Ricki on January 5, 2014 8:31 pm

      Oh. Ehm. Gee. This is beyond fabulous looking!! And with one slight modification. . . I think I’ll be eating Healthy Chocolate Fudge Bars this week. 😉

      Reply
    13. Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts on January 5, 2014 7:49 pm

      Ooooh, these bars might be yet another divine way to keep a resolution on eating more chocolate (which I stole from Linda over at Free Range Cookie). WOW!

      Shirley

      Reply

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