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, attention-grabbing dishes I’ve had at eating places, or distinctive twists on conventional consolation meals, generally I simply should 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 changed into unimaginable wholesome peanut butter twix bars and even tahini caramel millionaire bars. I all the time recreate these candies utilizing elements you possibly can be ok with, however you understand I don’t skimp on style right here. I hope you’re sitting down as a result of at this time 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 may simply be life-changing. Make a batch or two, retailer them for the week, and don’t overlook to share with family members!
Elements in these vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars
These bars are mainly 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 prime. Listed below are the elements you’ll have to 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 tremendous, blanched almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut oil, just a few 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 Pals — use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off), maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt, and chopped up roasted & salted peanuts. I extremely suggest attempting honey roasted peanuts for much more taste!
- For the chocolate layer: prime all of it off with a coating of chocolate constituted of chocolate chips and coconut oil. Really easy and so scrumptious! Remember to use dairy free/vegan chocolate chips to maintain the bars vegan & dairy free.
Can I exploit a distinct nut butter?
Any nut butter ought to work in these grain free chocolate peanut butter caramel bars, however I actually suggest sticking with peanut butter for the most effective taste. Plus, the chopped peanuts add such an incredible texture to the bars!
Easy methods to make double chocolate peanut butter caramel bars
The entire layers in these vegan and gluten free chocolate peanut butter caramel bars would possibly look a little bit 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 the entire elements 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 get together. 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 elements in a saucepan over medium-low warmth. Stir often 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 not less than 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 & get pleasure from. You’ll want to relax the bars another time within the fridge for not less than 1 hour till the chocolate is hardened. Then minimize them into 16 bars and luxuriate in!
Get the best bar form
Sure, you possibly can 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 all the pan of bars in half. Then, minimize every half into 8, 1-inch bars. You’ll get 16 longer bars as a substitute of squares!
Our greatest ideas & reminders
- Use the best pan. Remember to use an 8×8-inch pan to get the best form and consistency. Even a little bit giant, 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, tremendous almond flour) similar to you’ll with brown sugar.
- Have persistence. I do know it’s tempting to place the entire layers collectively with out ready on the nippiness time, however you actually do want the caramel and chocolate layers to relax utterly in order that the bars maintain collectively properly.
Easy methods to retailer & freeze these bars
- To retailer: these vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars must be saved lined within the fridge till you’re able to serve them. They may keep good in your fridge for about 1 week.
- To freeze: be happy to maintain them in a freezer-safe container in your freezer for as much as 1 month. For those who do preserve them in your freezer, make sure to go away them out on the counter for a couple of minutes earlier than serving in order that they soften up a bit.
Advisable 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’re keen on these vegan chocolate peanut butter caramel bars! For those who make them make sure to go away a remark and a score so I understand how you appreciated 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 similar to a Snicker’s bar however are naturally sweetened, gluten free and dairy free!
Elements
- For the shortbread base:
- 1 ¼ cup packed tremendous blanched almond flour (I exploit Bob’s Purple 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 superb!)
- For the chocolate layer:
- ¾ cup chocolate chips, dairy free/vegan if desired
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions
-
Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Line an 8×8 inch sq. pan with parchment paper. It’s essential to make use of an 8×8 inch as a 9×9 inch pan could also be too large.
-
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 varieties 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.
-
After the crust comes out of the oven, sprinkle the crust evenly with the peanuts.
-
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 simply barely bubble, stirring often. Take away from warmth and pour caramel over the peanuts and barely cooled crust.
-
Place within the fridge for not less than 30-60 minutes to utterly harden the peanut butter. It should not take longer than this, however if you’re impatient, simply place it within the freezer for 15-20 minutes, this could velocity up the method.
-
After half-hour or so, make the chocolate layer: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave protected bowl and microwave on excessive in 30 second increments, stirring in between till chocolate is totally melted. For those who want, you may also soften the chocolate and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low warmth.
-
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 not less than 1 hour till chocolate is hardened and bars are utterly cooled.
-
Take away bars from the pan and minimize into 16 bars (that resemble twix bars). To do that, minimize all the 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 must be saved lined within the fridge till able to serve.
Diet
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 submit was initially revealed on September 14th, 2021, and republished on February thirteenth, 2024.
