Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars

These indulgent dessert bars are so easy to make and require no baking. Though I try to steer clear of mixing oils and sweets, I love to make an exception for this decadent dessert. I will try to think of an oil free alternative for these bars, but if you are able to only have one or two pieces, after a dinner filled with greens, you should be just fine!

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars

Course Dessert
Cuisine Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan

Ingredients

Pecan Pie Crust

  • 1 cup Pecans (raw, organic)
  • 6 Dates (fresh and pitted, or soaked for 5 minutes)
  • 1 tbsp Coconut Oil (optional)

Caramel

  • 1/2 cup Nut butter (I use almond or hazelnut)
  • 1/2 cup Coconut Oil
  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla (alcohol-free)
  • 1 tsp Salt (himalayan)

Chocolate

  • 1/3 cup Cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup Coconut oil
  • 4 tbsp Maple Syrup

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, mix ingredients for pie crust until chunks form. If you don't have a food processor, you can chop by hand and mix in a bowl. 

  2. In a glass baking dish (I use 9x6), place parchment paper and press pie crust evenly along the bottom of the dish until it is packed down firm.

  3. On medium over your stove top, stir together ingredients for caramel. Once it is liquid and well stirred for a few minutes, pour into baking dish over pie crust. 

  4. Place baking dish with pie crust and caramel in the freezer for 20 minutes.

  5. Mix all ingredients of chocolate in a sauce pan and stir on low over stovetop. Once it is liquid and well stirred, pour over cooled caramel in the baking dish. 

  6. Return to freezer for 20 minutes or until chocolate has hardened. 

  7. Enjoy and don't forget to store in the fridge between servings!

Recipe Notes

Although you could make this recipe crust by thinly chopping the pecans and dates by hand and then mixing them, I like to speed up the process with a food processor. This is the only tool you need to make this recipe and can find one for quite cheap at your local grocery store.

You can even get a hand-powered food processor, which was a must-have for all my cooking needs when I lived full-time in my van. They came in many shapes and sizes, here is one of them:

If you have any suggestions for low-fat indulgent desserts, let me know in the comments below!