I typically get requested the place I get my recipe inspiration and whereas I often get it from nourishing meals my mother made for me rising up, fascinating dishes I’ve had at eating places, or distinctive twists on conventional consolation meals, typically I simply need to recreate home made variations of sweet bars everybody is aware of and loves.
It began with my home made Reese’s eggs that I’ve been making for years and has since become unimaginable wholesome peanut butter twix bars and even tahini caramel millionaire bars. I at all times recreate these candies utilizing substances you’ll be able to be ok with, however I don’t skimp on style right here. I hope you’re sitting down as a result of immediately I’m re-sharing a deal with that’s completely epic.
These vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars are like a double chocolate model of a Snickers bar however simply so occur to be vegan, dairy free, grain free and gluten free. WHAT?!
We’re beginning with a chocolate shortbread crust, topping it with crunchy, salty peanuts, pouring on my well-known vegan peanut butter caramel, and ending the bars with a layer of chocolate. Once I say these bars are rattling good I imply they could simply be life-changing. Make a batch or two, retailer them for the week, and don’t overlook to share with family members!
Components in these vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars
These bars are principally simply layers of chocolatey, peanut butter goodness. You get a chocolate shortbread cookie base, a candy & salty peanut butter caramel center, and, in fact, a layer of darkish chocolate on high. Listed here are the substances you’ll must make them:
- For the shortbread base: we’re getting that true chocolate shortbread taste and texture however making it gluten free and grain free with high-quality, blanched almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut oil, a number of tablespoons of maple syrup, vanilla and salt.
- For the peanut butter layer: that peanut butter “caramel” is made with pure, drippy peanut butter (we love Wild Mates — use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off), maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt, and chopped up roasted & salted peanuts. I extremely advocate making an attempt honey roasted peanuts for much more taste!
- For the chocolate layer: high all of it off with a coating of chocolate produced from chocolate chips and coconut oil. Really easy and so scrumptious! Make sure you use dairy free/vegan chocolate chips to maintain the bars vegan & dairy free.
Can I exploit a special nut butter?
Any nut butter ought to work in these grain free chocolate peanut butter caramel bars, however I actually advocate sticking with peanut butter for the very best taste. Plus, the chopped peanuts add such an incredible texture to the bars!
Find out how to make double chocolate peanut butter caramel bars
The entire layers in these vegan and gluten free chocolate peanut butter caramel bars may look slightly intimidating, however they’re simpler to make than you assume!
- Prep your pan. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper in order that the bars don’t stick.
- Make the shortbread base. Add all the substances for the chocolate shortbread base to a bowl and blend it till a thick crumb texture seems. Pour this into your pan, press it down and bake.
- Peanut occasion. As soon as the crust comes out of the oven, sprinkle on these chopped peanuts. Let the crust cool earlier than including the peanut butter caramel.
- Make the caramel. Whereas the crust is baking you’ll soften the peanut butter caramel substances in a saucepan over medium-low warmth. Stir ceaselessly till the caramel begins to bubble ever so barely, then pour it over the peanuts and the shortbread crust.
- Chill the bars. Earlier than including the ultimate layer you’ll want to position the pan n the fridge for at the least 30-60 minutes, or within the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- Make the chocolate layer. Lastly, soften the chocolate chips with coconut oil within the microwave or in a saucepan over low warmth till easy. Pour the chocolate over the chilled caramel layer and tilt the pan to evenly distribute it.
- Chill & take pleasure in. You’ll want to relax the bars another time within the fridge for at the least 1 hour till the chocolate is hardened. Then minimize them into 16 bars and revel in!
Get the appropriate bar form
Sure, you’ll be able to minimize these vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars into squares, however I feel they’re far more enjoyable when minimize into Twix or Snickers-shaped bars! To do that, begin by chopping your entire pan of bars in half. Then, minimize every half into 8, 1-inch bars. You’ll get 16 longer bars as an alternative of squares!
Our greatest suggestions & reminders
- Use the appropriate pan. Make sure you use an 8×8-inch pan to get the appropriate form and consistency. Even slightly massive, like a 9×9 inch pan, will make the bars too flat.
- Pack your almond flour. You’ll need to use packed almond flour (and ensure it’s blanched, high-quality almond flour) identical to you’d with brown sugar.
- Have persistence. I do know it’s tempting to place all the layers collectively with out ready on the coolness time, however you actually do want the caramel and chocolate layers to relax utterly in order that the bars maintain collectively effectively.
Find out how to retailer & freeze these bars
- To retailer: these vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars ought to be stored coated within the fridge till you’re able to serve them. They may keep good in your fridge for about 1 week.
- To freeze: be at liberty to maintain them in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for as much as 1 month. In case you do preserve them in your freezer, make sure to depart them out on the counter for a couple of minutes earlier than serving in order that they soften up a bit.
Really helpful instruments
Take a look at all of our favourite kitchen necessities right here!
Extra vegan treats you’ll love
Get all of our scrumptious vegan desserts right here!
I hope you like these vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars! In case you make them make sure to depart a remark and a ranking so I understand how you preferred them. Take pleasure in, xo!
Vegan Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
Unbelievable vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars with a scrumptious chocolate shortbread cookie base and crunchy, salty peanuts proper within the center. These chocolate peanut butter caramel bars style identical to a Snicker’s bar however are naturally sweetened, gluten free and dairy free!
Components
- For the shortbread base:
- 1 ¼ cup packed high-quality blanched almond flour (I exploit Bob’s Pink Mill)
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons melted and cooled coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the peanut butter layer:
- ¾ cup drippy pure peanut butter (crunchy or creamy works)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup coarsely chopped roasted salted peanuts (honey roasted are wonderful!)
- For the chocolate layer:
- ¾ cup chocolate chips, dairy free/vegan if desired
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Line an 8×8 inch sq. pan with parchment paper. It’s vital to make use of an 8×8 inch as a 9×9 inch pan could also be too huge.
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In a medium bowl add the almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt. Combine along with a fork till it types a pleasant thick crumb texture. Add to the pan and use your fingers to evenly press down into the pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Enable the crust to chill for 10 minutes earlier than including caramel.
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After the crust comes out of the oven, sprinkle the crust evenly with the peanuts.
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Whereas the crust is baking, make the peanut butter caramel layer: Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and sea salt to a medium pot and place over medium-low warmth for about 2 minutes till caramel begins to only barely bubble, stirring ceaselessly. Take away from warmth and pour caramel over the peanuts and barely cooled crust.
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Place within the fridge for at the least 30-60 minutes to utterly harden the peanut butter. It should not take longer than this, however in case you are impatient, simply place it within the freezer for 15-20 minutes, this could pace up the method.
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After half-hour or so, make the chocolate layer: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave secure bowl and microwave on excessive in 30 second increments, stirring in between till chocolate is totally melted. In case you want, you may as well soften the chocolate and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low warmth.
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Pour the chocolate over the caramel layer and tilt the pan side-to-side to evenly distribute the melted chocolate. Place within the fridge for at the least 1 hour till chocolate is hardened and bars are utterly cooled.
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Take away bars from the pan and minimize into 16 bars (that resemble twix bars). To do that, minimize your entire pan of bars in half, after which minimize every half into 8 (1-inch) bars (not squares!), so that you’ll find yourself with 16 bars. Take pleasure in! Bars ought to be stored coated within the fridge till able to serve.
Vitamin
Serving: 1barEnergy: 275calCarbohydrates: 17.8gProtein: 6.6gFats: 21.9gSaturated Fats: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 12.7g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Pictures by: Eat Love Eats
This put up was initially revealed on September 14th, 2021, and republished on February thirteenth, 2024.
