Hello there, my friends! I hope you’re having a beautiful day as always. Today, I’m sharing a trio of vegan, gluten-free, and minimal-ingredient dessert recipes that are not only simple to make but also incredibly satisfying. These treats include delicious Date Squares that can double as breakfast, a mouthwatering Chocolate Fudge, and a nostalgic Date Twix Bar. To top it all off, we’ll finish with an easy no-bake Chocolate Chip and Chocolate-Dipped Cookie. Let’s dive into these delightful creations!
Recipe 1: Date Squares
Date squares are one of my favorite recipes—they’re the perfect combination of dessert and breakfast food. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of tea or as a quick morning snack, these squares are sure to hit the spot.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pitted dates | 1 cup |
| Rolled oats | 1 ½ cups |
| Walnuts | ½ cup |
| Maple syrup | 3 tbsp (or agave, date syrup, honey) |
| Cashew butter | 3 tbsp |
| Coconut oil | 2 tbsp |
| Cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
Instructions
- Soak the Dates: Begin by soaking 1 cup of pitted dates in hot water for about 15 minutes. The longer, the better.
- Make the Base and Topping: In a bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of rolled oats, ½ cup of walnuts, 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, 3 tablespoons of cashew butter, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix until well combined.
- Prepare the Pan: Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly oil it. Spread three-fourths of the oat mixture into the base of the dish.
- Bake the Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the base for 20 minutes.
- Date Filling: Once the dates have soaked, strain them and blend them with ¼ cup of cashew butter, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.
- Layer the Filling: Spread the date mixture evenly over the baked oat base.
- Add the Topping: Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Cool and Slice: Let the date squares cool completely for at least an hour before cutting them into squares. I used a 9×6 pan and cut them into 12 even squares, but feel free to adjust the size as you like.
Enjoy these date squares as a delicious, energy-boosting snack or a nutritious breakfast treat!
Recipe 2: Simple Chocolate “Fudge”
This chocolate fudge is an incredibly easy recipe that requires only two main ingredients! Perfect for when you need a quick sweet fix.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dark chocolate | 100 grams (about 72% cocoa) |
| Cashew butter | ½ cup |
| Pink Himalayan salt | To taste |
Instructions
- Melt the Chocolate: Chop 100 grams of dark chocolate (about 72% cocoa) and melt it gently over the stove. Stir continuously to avoid burning.
- Add Cashew Butter: Once the chocolate is almost fully melted, remove it from the heat and stir in ½ cup of cashew butter until fully combined.
- Set the Fudge: Pour the chocolate-cashew mixture into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Tap the pan on the counter to ensure the mixture is evenly spread.
- Add a Touch of Salt: Sprinkle a little pink Himalayan salt on top for that irresistible sweet-and-salty combination.
- Freeze: Place the pan in the freezer for at least one hour.
- Cut and Serve: Once set, cut the fudge into bite-sized squares. Store at room temperature for a super fudgy texture.
This rich and decadent fudge is perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
Recipe 3: Date Twix Bar
This Date Twix Bar will definitely satisfy any candy bar craving you may have. It’s a healthier, homemade version of the classic treat, with a chewy caramel date layer and a rich chocolate coating.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Oat flour | 1 ½ cups |
| Coconut oil | 3 tbsp |
| Maple syrup | 2 tbsp |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Pitted dates | 1 cup |
| Cashew butter | 2 tbsp |
| Water | ¼ cup |
| Dark chocolate | 60 grams |
Instructions
- Make the Base: In a bowl, mix 1 ½ cups of oat flour, 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir until well combined.
- Bake the Base: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or coconut oil. Spread the mixture evenly in the pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Caramel Layer: Soak 1 cup of pitted dates in hot water for 15 minutes. After soaking, strain them and blend with 2 tablespoons of cashew butter and ¼ cup of water until smooth.
- Layer the Caramel: Spread the date caramel evenly over the baked base and refrigerate while you melt the chocolate.
- Melt the Chocolate: Chop 60 grams of dark chocolate and melt three-fourths of it over the stove. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining chocolate to help temper it.
- Top with Chocolate: Spread the melted chocolate over the date caramel layer and refrigerate for a couple of hours until fully set.
- Slice and Serve: To make slicing easier, place the bars in the freezer for one hour before cutting. Enjoy your homemade Twix bars with thick, chewy layers of deliciousness!
Recipe 4: No-Bake Chocolate Chip and Dipped Cookies
These no-bake cookies are incredibly easy to make and can be whipped up in no time. They’re perfect for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to turn on the oven!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Oat flour | 1 ¼ cups |
| Coconut oil | 3 tbsp (melted) |
| Maple syrup | ¼ cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Chocolate chips | ½ cup (mini for best results) |
| Dark chocolate | 60 grams |
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix together 1 ¼ cups of oat flour, 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, ¼ cup of maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Stir until well combined.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips (mini chocolate chips work best for this recipe).
- Form the Cookies: Roll the dough into balls, using a heaping tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Place the cookies on a tray and freeze for 20-30 minutes.
- Dip in Chocolate: While the cookies are setting, melt 60 grams of dark chocolate using the same method as above—melt three-fourths over the stove and stir in the remaining chocolate to cool it down.
- Finish: Dip the tops of the cookies into the melted chocolate and let them set. Once the chocolate is firm, your no-bake cookies are ready to enjoy!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed these simple yet delicious vegan and gluten-free dessert recipes! Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just to satisfy a sweet tooth, these treats are sure to please. Thank you so much for joining me today. If you try any of these recipes, I’d love to hear how they turned out for you. Lots of love and happy baking!