Three-Layer Peanut Butter Bars
By the Gracious Vegan
These bars are inspired by all those recipes with crunchy bottom crusts, caramel centers, and luscious chocolate on top. I re-invented each layer to remove sugar and added oils. They are so good and so satisfying. You might miss the candy-chocolate top of most bars like this, but the raw-brownie substitute is actually quite tasty.
Makes a 9” x 5” pan of bars
Line a 9” x 5” loaf pan with parchment or waxed paper, leaving the paper long so that you can lift the bars out later.
Bottom crust. Combine the following ingredients in the food processor and process until well mixed but you can still see bits of oats and nuts. Press the mixture into the pan.
2/3 cup chopped dates (about 6 Medjool dates)
1/3 cup uncooked oats
1/4 cup slivered or chopped almonds
1 Tablespoon flaxseed meal (or ground chia seeds)
1/2 Tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Middle peanut butter layer. Combine the following ingredients in the food processor (or stir together in a bowl). Pour the mixture on top of the bottom layer in the pan.
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup date syrup, date molasses, or maple syrup
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Top chocolate layer. Add the dates to the food processor and blend them until they form into a ball.
1/2 cup pitted dates (about 5 Medjool dates)
Add the following ingredients and process until well combined.
3 Tablespoons almond flour
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add in the pecans and maple syrup until the mixture is combined and you can still see tiny pieces of pecans.
1/2 cup pecans
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
Carefully distribute the raw brownie mixture on top of the peanut butter layer and pat out the brownie mixture evenly with your hands, using the bottom of glass to gently tamp it down. They are ready to eat at this point, but if you refrigerate the bars for at least an hour, they will taste even better. They will last in the refrigerator for up to a week and can be frozen as well.
Timing: About 30 minutes
Gluten-free