Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Cacao-Date Layer Recipe
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine a rich and creamy peanut butter cookie base with a decadent cacao-date walnut layer on top. Perfect as a delicious dessert or snack, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness and texture with wholesome, natural ingredients and no baking required.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: 25 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Cookie Layer
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Heaping ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2½ cups almond flour
- 2½ tablespoons maca powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Cacao Layer
- 1½ cups walnuts
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 10 soft medjool dates
- 2 tablespoons water
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after freezing.
- Make the Cookie Layer: In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt until smooth and integrated. Add almond flour and maca powder to the wet ingredients and mix well until a thick dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips to evenly distribute them. Press this mixture firmly into the prepared pan and place it in the freezer to slightly firm while preparing the cacao layer.
- Create the Cacao Date Layer: Using a food processor, pulse walnuts, cacao powder, and sea salt until the walnuts are finely chopped. Add medjool dates and pulse further until ingredients start to combine. Add water as needed to help the machine process until a smooth, sticky paste forms. Spread this cacao-date layer evenly over the chilled cookie base. Optionally, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for added texture and flavor.
- Freeze and Serve: Freeze the assembled bars for 30 minutes to firm up, making them easier to cut. Remove from the freezer, slice into bars, and serve. Store any leftover bars in the refrigerator or freeze them for longer storage. Let frozen bars thaw for about 15 minutes at room temperature before enjoying.
Notes
- Use smooth, creamy peanut butter for best results. Avoid dry or stiff peanut butter, which can affect the texture of the bars. If refrigerated, let peanut butter sit at room temperature for an hour before preparation to soften.
- Freezing the bars before slicing makes cutting cleaner and easier.
- Store bars in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for extended freshness.
- Flaky sea salt on top is optional but adds a nice contrast to the sweetness.
