These No Bake Coconut Bars are healthy, yet delicious and you can have them with only a minimal fuss in your kitchen. They are packed with shredded coconut & dark chocolate, they are gluten free and they can easily be made vegan if needed. A perfect healthy sweet treat or snack on the go for the kids.
Why you are going to love these Homemade Coconut Bars
If you are a coconut lover like me, you are going to love these!!! They are:
healthy
gluten-free
raw (no bake)
vegan, if needed
easy
only a few ingredients required
Ingredients & substitutions
unsweetened shredded coconut: basic ingredient. If you have only sweetened shredded coconut on hand, I recommend to reduce the honey/ maple syrup quantity, otherwise, they will become too sweet.
coconut oil: I like to use cold-presses bio virgin coconut oil
honey: I used honey blossom, but if you need them vegan, use maple syrup instead.
vanilla extract: I used vanilla extract, but if you have coconut extract on hand, please prefer it.
salt: a pinch of salt balances the sweetness.
unsweetened dark chocolate: feel free to use whatever chocolate you prefer or have on hand, even if it's dark sweet chocolate or milk chocolate. You can either use a whole chocolate, cut in chunks or use chocolate chips.
How to make these No Bake Coconut Bars
In a medium sized bowl add all of the ingredients except for the chocolate and using your hands mix them, until you have a homogenized thick & sticky mixture. An alternative is to add all of these ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse on high speed for approximately 30 seconds, until combined. The only difference using a blender or food processor is that the mixture will become more compact. Use the method that suits your preferences.
Transfer the mixture in a small pan/dish lined with parchment paper. Using a flat surface (like the down side of a glass) or using your hands, press the mixture gently to flatten the surface. Place it in the freezer for approximately 30 minutes or until set. (The thickness of the bars is up to your preferences).
Just before you take it out of the freezer, melt the chocolate. In a small pot add some water (1/ 3 of the pot), place on the stovetop and simmer. Cut chocolate in chunks (unless you use chocolate chips) and place them in a metallic bowl (that can stand over the pot of boiling water). Place the bowl above the pot of boiling water and using a spatula, stir the chocolate chunks or chips until completely melted.
Remove the mixture form the freezer and cut into isometric rectangle pieces. Then using a fork, take each bar and dip it to the chocolate, being sure that all surfaces are covered. Place the bars on a wire rack and let chill until chocolate is set. Alternatively place them in the freezer for 15 minutes.
If there is any melted chocolate left, pour additional chocolate over each bar shaping some lines for decoration. Place them again in the freezer to set. Once set they are ready to be devoured!
How to store Homemade Coconut Bars?
Place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (or maybe longer). Serve them after 5-10 minutes of being out of the fridge.
If you won't consume them the next days, you can also store them in the freezer for approximately a month. The best way to defrost them is to do it progressively. Remove the Coconut Bars from the freezer and place them in the fridge for a night, then let them come to a warmer temperature out of the fridge (approximately 20-30 minutes) until ready to consume.
Recipe
Servings: 10
Preparation time:15 mins
Waiting time: 50 mins
Ingredients
2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut/ coconut flakes
1/4 coconut oil
3 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cup (180 g) unsweetened dark chocolate
Method
In a medium sized bowl add all ingredients except for the chocolate. Mix all together until you have a thick & sticky mixture.
Line a parchment paper over a small dish. Transfer the coconut mixture, press with your hands and place it in the freezer to chill for approximately 30 mins or until set.
Melt dark chocolate using a ben marie (double boiler).
Remove coconut mixture from the freezer and cut in isometric rectangle pieces. Using a fork, dip the bars into the melted chocolate, being sure that all surfaces are covered.
Place on a rack and let them chill until chocolate is set or place them in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Once set, enjoy!
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