Halloween Edition: Chocolate Coated Choc Orange Smoosh Bars (Vegan, gluten free)

Hello everyone, it has been a while! But I am back now with a delicious healthier chocolate bar recipe for you. And it will make a perfect Halloween treat to celebrate Halloween 🙂 I have been having this chocolate coated choc orange smoosh bars for morning tea and after dinner snack this week when I was craving for a sweet snack and these bars definitely hit the spot!

These bars are made with dates, peanut butter (of course I could not resist using my all time favourite nut butter), chocolate protein powder or almond meal, orange zest, orange juice, cacao powder, dried mixed peels and almond flakes which were then coated in some dark chocolate! YUMMM. Just writing about this makes me want to have another smoosh bar! As you can tell, the ingredients are pretty healthy and definitely make a filling snack with the healthy fats from the peanut butter and almond meal. And also, they are fun to make with your kids for a Halloween treat 😉

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have. As always, please let me know what you think of this recipe. If you like what you see on this blog, you can follow me on my blog, Facebook or Instagram for some food porn. Also, if you do recreate this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @subz_foodie 🙂

Makes 14 smooshed bars

Ingredients

3/4 cup dates;
4 heaped tbsp/60g peanut butter;
6 tbsp chocolate protein powder or almond meal;
2-3 tbsp cacao powder;
Zest of an orange;
2 heaped tbsp dried mixed citrus peels;
2 heaped tbsp almond flakes;
Freshly squeeze orange juice;
50g dark chocolate or your favourite chocolate; and
**Optional: Halloween sprinkles.

Method

In a food processor, process the dates until it breaks down well. Then, add the peanut butter, protein powder/almond meal, cacao powder and orange zest and process until well combined;
Then, add orange juice one tbsp at a time and process until the mixture comes together to form a cookie dough. Depending on the moisture in your dates, you may require more or less than orange juice from an orange. You can also use water if you have run out of orange juice;
Then, add the dried mixed citrus peels and almond flakes and pulse a few time until the they are well incorporated into the cookie dough;
Transfer the cookie dough mixture into a well greased loaf pan or silicone pan and flatten the dough (like you would make granola bars) and ensure it is evenly spread out;
Place the flattened dough in the fridge to harden for 2-3 hours;
Once the dough has hardened, remove from the fridge and cut into bars. I cut mine into 14 bars;
Then, melt the chocolate in the microwave or double boiler. Dip the bars into the melted chocolate and sprinkle with some sprinkle if you like. I also only dip one side of the bars in chocolate. If you want to dip the whole bar in chocolate, double the chocolate amount to 100g;
Place the chocolate coated bars in the fridge to harden. Enjoy;
Store in the fridge for up to two weeks;