Shortbread ingredients:
1 cup cashews
1 cup dried, unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup dates
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate ingredients:
1 cup cashews
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup maple syrup, honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons raw cocoa powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Process: Place all shortbread ingredients in the food processor. Process until the mixture sticks together and the dates are well processed.
2. Dump shortbread mixture into your pan. Press the crust down firmly in your dish with your hands. (Shortbread base is now done.)
3. Blend: Place all chocolate mixture ingredients into a high-speed blender. Blend until very smooth.
4. Pour/deposit chocolate mixture on top of shortbread, similar to pouring icing on brownies. Smooth with the back of a spoon.
5. Freeze: Cover and freeze for at least 1 hour. Always store these in the freezer.
6. Eat! I like to slice a frozen piece, then let the slice thaw out on the counter for 15 minutes or so.
The Rawtarian's Thoughts
These are freezer bars. I tend to make them in a square baking dish.
if you're having trouble getting the chocolate mixture to blend properly, turn your high-speed blender off and insert a spatula down one side to let a pocket of air down near the blades. Then remove the spatula, put the lid back on and continue blending--going from slow all the way up to fast again.
You must use the coconut oil in this recipe. It's what makes the chocolatey mixture thicken in the freezer.
These raw chocolate shortbread bars call for a lot of lemon juice, but that's the secret ingredient that makes the chocolate taste a bit more zingy (like chocolate cheesecake) rather than just like pure chocolate. This gives the chocolate a deeper dimension and more of an adult flavour.
These bars need to be stored in the freezer.
I am addicted to these right now. Serve them with thawed raspberries thrown on top = dreamy!
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Comments
The Rawtarian
Jan 06, 2013
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Saw your tweet Viv! Divine!! xox
Vivienne
Jan 06, 2013
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Update: friends + hubby have nearly gobbled up this weeks batch so more on the "must make" list for next week. Had lunch today with non veggie / non vegan friends who now want recipes!! Love it!!
p.s. am hooked on the shortbread base so plan on experimenting with that to make bars for hubby's snack box (and me of course..hee hee),...will keep you posted on success!
The Rawtarian
Jan 06, 2013
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Love it Vivienne! I love that base too - it is so good, so easy, and very neutral tasting but yummy - so it seems to go with everything, which I love
keep me posted :)
Vivienne
Jan 09, 2013
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Had to share - experimented with shortbread base to make healthy bars for hubby + me as snax - huge success! Used the shortbread base but left out the coconut and then added organic currants and sunflower seeds to the mix. I then divided the mixture into two and to one I added buckwheat (with cinnamon + spices) leaving the other plain. Can't decide which are my favourite. Really delish!
The Rawtarian
Jan 09, 2013
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Um... YUM Viv!
Vivienne
Jan 13, 2013
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Me again - update no.2 - Experimental bars divine + supplies going fast!! More shortbread made - I think this is my all time fav recipe right now. So easy to make and just so fulfilling too! yum x20!!
The Rawtarian
Jan 26, 2013
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lol you are a raw experimenting diva Viv! love it
Sha
Jan 04, 2013
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this is SO YUMMY !!!! Thankyou!
The Rawtarian
Jan 06, 2013
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My pleasure Sha :)
Kelli
Jan 05, 2013
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My son is allergic to tree nuts so I would love to try this recipe with an alternative. Could I swap out cashews for sunflower seeds or butter? Maybe mixed with a little coconut flour? Any ideas? Sounds delish!!!
The Rawtarian
Jan 06, 2013
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Hi Kelli, for the CRUST you can substitute for a wide variety of seeds- like sunflower seeds instead of the cashews.
HOWEVER, for the chocolate part you need the cashews (or macadamia nuts) both of which are tree nuts so that won't work.
BUT the good news is that instead of making the chocolate topping recommended here (which is definitely the best for this recipe) you could try another choco recipe, like a more fudgy topping like this icing which can freeze. It won't be the same or as good, but it's a good alternative: http://www.therawtarian.com/raw-chocolate-icing
Christine
Jan 06, 2013
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I made these last evening and they are sooooo delicious! Thanks for all your recepies!
Posted from The Rawtarian App
The Rawtarian
Jan 06, 2013
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My pleasure Christine! Glad to have you here :)
Cindy
Jan 08, 2013
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Hi! I want to say I'm excited about finding this site. This recipe was awesome, and I can't wait to try many more. Is it possible to omit the coconut oil?
Posted from The Rawtarian App
The Rawtarian
Jan 09, 2013
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Hi Cindy, glad to have you here and to see that you are enjoying the app. :) Sorry, but you can't omit the coconut oil... Its purpose is to harden when cold - so if you don't use it, it will be a sloppy mess :(
Jeanie
Jan 08, 2013
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Is there anything you can substitute for the dates?
The Rawtarian
Jan 09, 2013
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Hi Jeanie, yes, for the base you can use raisins or prunes instead of dates. However, dates are definitely best.
Marta
Jan 12, 2013
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This is amazing. Thank you so much!
marie
Jan 18, 2013
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these are absolutely amazing.... do u have any nut free desserts? i am looking to ease up on the fats in my diet.
Lisa
Jan 18, 2013
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Thank you for a fantastic recipe. I've made it about four times this week! I have just made some substituting orange juice for the lemon juice and adding some orange zest. Amazing! I have converted a few adults to raw desserts with this and kids have loved it too. Love your work. Thanks x
The Rawtarian
Jan 26, 2013
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loving the orange idea Lisa. I am going to try that next time I make them!
Mary
Jan 19, 2013
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And yet another delicious recipe! And it's made without the aid of sugar, flour, eggs or baking. Please keep the creativity flowing and keep sharing! Thank you for making the transition from the SAD to Raw so much more enjoyable and delicious.
Mary Beth
Jan 20, 2013
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Just made these today and they are delicious!!!
Any idea what the calories are? Loved them no matter what :)
Sabina
Jan 23, 2013
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Hi, I just made these and they're delicious! How long will they keep in the freezer? Thanks for this site, so many recipes to try :-D
Mary
Jan 24, 2013
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I kept mine in the freezer for about a month and they were fine. It wasn't easy, they kept calling me. I finally finished them and am about to make another batch! If you haven't tried the Brownies (I made the recipe not using almond pulp) they're oooh so yummy!
The Rawtarian
Jan 26, 2013
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HOW COULD YOU KEEP THESE IN YOUR FREEZER FOR A MONTH WITHOUT EATING?? You are a better woman than I Mary lol
Teresa Hudec
Jan 30, 2013
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I'm a shortbread fanatic and these totally satisfy all those cravings. The lemon made a huge impact. I absolutely love these!
The Rawtarian
Jan 30, 2013
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So glad you enjoyed this one, Teresa. It's one of my current faves too!
Beth
Jan 31, 2013
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Just checking that the coconut oil should be melted before blending with the other ingredients. You didn't say but I assumed.
The Rawtarian
Jan 31, 2013
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Hi Beth! Yes, do liquify it by warming it up a bit - but generally it gets melted by the heat of the blender movement so if you're lazy/rushed I wouldn't sweat it too much :)
corrina young
Feb 01, 2013
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Hi! Just want to first say I love your sight. Just started being practically raw and can't wait to try your recipes. I just made these lovely looking chocolate shortbread bars and so looking forward to trying them. I used an 8x8 pan which seemed to have worked. Can you cut the bars in once frozen so that you can just grab one when the urge hits instead of fighting with the full frozen dessert?
The Rawtarian
Feb 01, 2013
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Hi Corrina, glad to have you here! Yes, once it's frozen you can cut into pieces, but you will want to keep all the pieces frozen as well.
corrina young
Feb 03, 2013
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Loved them! Can't wait to bring samples to my family gathering. My sister and niece also eat raw so it will be nice to share your great recipe! Cant wait to try more of your recipes.
Thanks for sharing your wealth of information.
The Rawtarian
Feb 03, 2013
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My pleasure Corrina, glad to have you here :)
Marita
Feb 02, 2013
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Most delicious thing ever! I made a batch last night and am ashamed to confess that they're almost all gone...
The Rawtarian
Feb 02, 2013
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Haha I understand this completely Marita! This happens to me all the time too heehee. This recipe is one of my current faves too! Yummy...
Kellymfowler
Feb 08, 2013
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Yum! I made these to go with my lunch (the raw cream cheese), but my new food processor was giving me grief with the cream cheese, so I was starving. Luckily, the cookie bars hardened very quickly in my freezer, and I enjoyed my dessert first :) Since I don't have enough coconut to make another batch, I decided to be kind and share this batch at a family gathering tomorrow night (yeah, I know...sharing is overrated ;) On a side note: I was surprised at how hearty these are...I was very hungry and two small bars and a glass of water later I felt quite satisfied!
The Rawtarian
Feb 09, 2013
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Dessert is always best served first! heehee. I suppose you are allowed to share -sigh.
<3 Kelly!
Lorraine
Feb 10, 2013
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i've just made these with lime juice and royal agave syrup. next time i'll add a sprinkle of chili to really get a Mexican taste :-)
The Rawtarian
Feb 10, 2013
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Fun! Ole!
Tracy
Feb 10, 2013
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Oh my gosh DIVINE!
Posted from The Rawtarian App
The Rawtarian
Feb 10, 2013
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Tracy :)
Kellymfowler
Feb 11, 2013
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Update: The cookie bars were a huge hit at the family gathering, and EVERYONE who tried one wanted the recipe! My mom is begging me to bring more next time I come to visit and I've already emailed the link to your page to at least three people <3
The Rawtarian
Feb 11, 2013
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Hi Kelly, now that is what I call a success!!
Jess
Feb 13, 2013
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I just drooled all over my keyboard. I'll definitely be making these soon.
The Rawtarian
Feb 13, 2013
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Hi Jess, I hate it when that happens! Lol
Rhonlynn
Feb 17, 2013
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Making these right now...they should be a hit for the next raw food pot luck I attend. But these are for me.
The Rawtarian
Feb 17, 2013
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Hi Rhonlynn! Hope they were a hit!
Grace
Feb 17, 2013
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omg. i just made these and they are amazing!!!
The Rawtarian
Feb 17, 2013
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Hi Grace, so glad you liked :)
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