Date free, mix and make Peanut butter caramel cookie dough bars, where have you been all my life?!

It’s cookie dough meets, twix meets, peanut butter cups and I am here for it!

Subtly sweet, deliciously buttery soft and chewy, choc chip cookie dough topped with a layer of date free peanut butter caramel finished with a cool, crisp layer of espresso infused dark chocolate.

My life is now complete.

Wait, eating these while drinking coffee = life complete!

Guys, these bars, Honestly, I’m lost for words . . .

I’m trying to think of something fun or interesting to tell you but really, I’ve got nothing.

There are few moments in life when words are simply not required and I strongly believe that this may be one of them.

I mean, did you hear me . . . mix and make, date free peanut butter caramel cookie dough bars  . . .

And would you look at them?! Layer, upon layer, upon, layer of deliciousness!

Who wants to listen (or read) me waffling on when there are life changing treats to be made!

A few things before you go get your snack on;

1 – Yes,  The espresso in the chocolate layer is optional so those of you who aren’t in to coffee, tell me why we’re friends again?! Just kidding, leave it out – even without the espresso in the chocolate they still taste all kinds of magical

2 – The egg free cookie dough was originally made with a DIY protein ball mix I got from my friend Kylee who has just launched her own range of healthy snack mixes “Baller Blends” . All plant based, gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, low carb, vegan, keto and paleo friendly but most importantly they all taste AMAZING!!!  If you’re looking for a way to support small business while staying home and living your best snackin’ ISO life then you can do that by checking out the range and ordering some for yourself, here but, don’t feel like you have to order the mix to make these life changing bars or if you, like me, have no patience and want to get your snack on NOW! Igotchu . In the notes I’ve included a recipe that you can make with what you have on hand right this very moment ! (But, just between you and me,  you might want to head on over to my Instagram page where I’m teaming up with the Baller Blends to celebrate their launch with a cheeky little giveaway! Go enter and win yourself some free snacks!!!)

Super simple, super delicious and you need them in your life because,

YUMMMMM

Made with no refined flour or sugar using just a handful of ingredients that I bet you have on hand already and come together in 1 bowl with 1 spoon and I guarantee they will disappear in the blink of an eye!

Gluten free – Dairy free – Grain Free – Refined sugar free – Low carb – Vegan – Keto and Paleo friendly.

All natural, quick and easy, subtly sweet, deliciously buttery, secretly healthy (date free) caramel peanut butter cookie dough bars!

They really are a little slice of heaven right here on earth!

From my heart, to yours, enjoy xo

No Bake {DATE FREE} Peanut Butter Caramel Cookie Dough Bars

10 bars of blissful deliciousness

Ingredients –

For the base –

1 packet of Baller Blends Cookie Dough-licious protein ball mix +
3 Tablespoons of maple syrup (or liquid sweetener of choice)

* see below for alternate, from scratch,  base recipe

For the date free peanut butter caramel filling –

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup maple syrup*

1 teaspoon of vanilla

A generous pinch of salt

For the chocolate coating –

1/4 cup of good quality dark chocolate – double this if you want to completely coat your bars

1/2-1 teaspoon of instant espresso – optional but HIGHLY recommended, always

1 teaspoon of coconut oil

A pinch of salt + extra for serving

*keto friends use monk fruit based maple syrup

Method –

1 – Line a small rimmed baking dish or loaf pan with non-stick parchment paper and set aside.

2 – Prepare the base mix according to the packet instructions. See notes below for alternate base recipe.

3 – Press your prepared cookie dough in to your prepared baking dish (or loaf pan) and press down into one nice smooth even layer.

5 – Set aside.

6 – Place all ingredients for your peanut butter caramel in to a small bowl and stir until smooth, creamy and well combined.

7 – Pour your peanut butter caramel over your cookie dough base and smooth in to a nice, even layer.

8 – Place in the freezer to set – should be ready in 20-30 minutes.

9 – Melt together chocolate, coconut oil and espresso (if using) by your preferred method – I like to do mine double broiler style, by placing the chocolate in to a bowl then sitting it on a small sauce pan filled with about 2 cm of water, let the water  simmer , without touching the bottom of the bowl, stir the chocolate occasionally until completed melted.

10 – Now – you have 2 options here –

1 – which is the option I chose – I sliced the chilled/set cookie dough in to bars then drizzled the tops of each bar with melted chocolate, repeating until all bars with crowned with chocolate, then drizzled the remaining melted chocolate over the top to make a pretty pattern.

2 – You can simply pour your melted chocolate on to the base, then slice it as a whole. If you choose to take this option, be warned the chocolate layer can crack as you slice it. I suggest heating the blade of your knife with boiling water before slicing, the heat makes slicing easier (and the chocolate is less likely to crack as much) as the heated blade will melt the chocolate layers as you press to slice.

Just make sure you wipe any excess water off the blade before slicing.

11 – Devour!

Bars need to be kept refrigerated, best stored in an air tight container but can also be frozen.

NOTEs –

Alternate base recipe ;

Ingredients;

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup of coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup of maple syrup*

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 pinch of salt

1 Tablespoon of choc chips, roughly chopped (or cacao nibs)

Method –

1 – Line a small rimmed baking dish or loaf pan with non-stick parchment paper and set aside.

2 – Place all ingredients for the base into a small bowl and stir until well combined.

3 – Press shortbread base in to your prepared baking dish (or loaf pan) and press down into one nice smooth even layer.

Enjoy xo

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Question of the day –

What’s your favorite treat?

Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make these peanut butter caramel cookie dough bars (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.

Do it, do it You know you want to ox

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