I (Hemp) Heart No Bake PB Chocolate Topped Squares
These are a quick and simple squares recipe to have on hand in your freezer for when you need a little energy boost or to have with a cup of herbal tea as a sweet treat when a friend drops by!
Ingredients
½ cup, packed pitted dates (about 14 or 15), softened*
½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
1 cup peanuts (salted or unsalted – your choice
¼ cup hemp hearts
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt (optional)
1 Tbsp maple syrup (optional) (Alternate: nut milk)
Chocolate Topping:
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp coconut oil
¼ cup chopped peanuts to sprinkle on top
How it’s Made
Prep an 8” square baking pan by lining it with parchment paper which hangs over the sides to use as handles to lift it out of the pan to cut. I find I don’t need to grease the paper, but do so if you wish.
Base
Add the softened dates, the peanut butter and the hemp hearts to a food process and blend until it is well mixed together, sticky and starts to form a ball. Add in the peanuts, the vanilla and the salt (if using) and process until you have a crumply texture. It should stick together well if you pinch some off and squeeze it together with your fingers or in your palm. If not, or if you are unsure, with the machine running, drizzle in the maple syrup (or nut milk), a very small amount at a time of the 1 Tbsp (you may not need the whole Tbsp) until it holds together.
Press the base mixture very firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
Top
In a saucepan over low heat, melt the coconut oil.
Add in the chocolate chips and stir to melt them into the oil. (Alternately, in a microwave safe bowl, combine the coconut oil and chocolate chips and microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring each time until melted together.)
Remove from heat and pour over the base, spreading it evenly to the edges. I find tilting the pan in all directions helps to spread the chocolate mixture evenly and to each side and corner.
Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts.
Place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes.
When you are ready to cut them, remove from the freezer and let the pan sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to make cutting easier. Remove the squares, using the overhanging parchment paper, to a cutting board. Cut as you desire – either in squares or in bars.
Store the squares/bars in the freezer in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
Tip
To soften dates* – cover them in hot water and let soak for 10-15 minutes, then drain them. Or put them in a microwave safe container with water to cover and microwave for 30 seconds, then drain. Or heat the dates covered in water in a small saucepan on the stove top for 1 minute when it comes to a gentle boil, let cool, then drain.
Want to use another nut? Almonds or cashews work really well. Replace the peanuts and peanut butter in the recipe for either one of these.
Use dark chocolate in the topping or mix half semi-sweet with half dark chocolate.