These no bake chocolate coconut pumpkin bars are a paleo treat made with pumpkin, dates, cocoa and coconut. Delicious and guilt-free!
Yesterday, around 4:45pm, single lady-dom for the next 6 months (on weekdays) commenced.
And while Ginger (who has been staring longingly out the window for the past hour as I type this) and I will definitely miss Ulysses during the week, I can’t say there aren’t some things that excite me about this sudden long-distance relationship.
1. Toilets will remain in the state that I left them in. As in, seat down and no “splattering”.
2. Sink drain food particles will be emptied before they turn into gross slimy who knows what.
3. A comfy, brand new down comforter in a bed all to myself (I’m not a snuggler while sleeping, there’s a line down the middle of the bed that distinctly separates the two sides. Cross it and be prepared to be pushed/kicked/elbowed back.)
4. The potential of only 1 grocery store trip a week now that banana, egg and milk consumption should fall to normal levels.
5. Treats like these no-bake pumpkin coconut bars lasting an entire week.
It’s not that I don’t like sharing (although, really…who does?) the stuff I make with Ulysses, it’s more that I know he couldn’t care less that these are a mix of a bunch of healthy (read: more expensive) ingredients, that they’re paleo or that they shouldn’t be scarfed down in 2 bites.
If he were around during the week, 8 or 9pm would roll around, he’d be making himself some tea and start opening pantry doors, fridge doors and freezer doors to find something to eat for dessert.
He’d come to these and likely eat one, standing up in the middle of the kitchen and be done before I could even tell him what they were.
I’ll draw the process out to at least 15 bites to make the whole dessert experience last as long as possible, he’ll demolish it in .5 seconds with absolutely no care to what he just ate.
A Twinkie or some other store bought hfcs laden gem would garner the same respect (as in, none) as these whole food, expensive, put together layer by layer with love coconut pumpkin bars do to him.
I recently came across these vegan bounty bars and know the same would apply to them!
It.drives.me.batty.
So for now, I’m enjoying the perks of single status.
At least until garbage day on Thursday when I have to drag those damn cans up our ridiculously long, steep driveway myself.
More recipes like these chocolate coconut pumpkin bars to enjoy this fall:
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Sweet Potato Oat Bars
Cinnamon Cake Bars
Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites
No Bake Chocolate Coconut Pumpkin Bars
Ingredients
- 10 medjool dates, pitted and soaked for 15-30 minutes in water
- 1 cup almonds
- 11/2 tablespoon dark, unsweetened cocoa powder
- 11/2 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
- 1/4 cup coconut butter, softened until spreadable
- 1 banana
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons honey
- unsweetened coconut flakes for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Combine dates, almonds, cocoa powder and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a food processor. Process until a ball starts to form and “dough” becomes sticky.
- Transfer to a 9×13 baking pan (a bread loaf pan) and spread/flatten out across the bottom of the entire pan.
- Spread the softened coconut butter as evenly as possible on top of the date/nut mixture.
- Add the banana, pumpkin, honey and remaining cinnamon to the food processor and process until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour mixture on top of the coconut butter, spreading evenly across the entire surface.
- Sprinkle coconut flakes on top and freeze until set. About 30 minutes.
- Cut into 8 squares once frozen.
- Keep bars stored in the freezer. They can be eaten directly from the freezer or thawed for a couple of minutes for a softer pumpkin top layer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Love this recipe! Pinning and making soon!
P.S. I strive to NEVER feel guilty when I eat and really hate seeing food described as ‘guilt-free’ etc. Eat, enjoy and get back on track!
Thanks, Tamara. I actually don’t feel guilt either when eating. Food is always a choice and if I’m going to choose to eat a certain way, it’s a conscience decision and not one worth feeling guilty over since no one forced it down my throat. Honestly, the label on the recipe was just an attempt to refrain from using the term “healthy” again as I feel like that’s so completely overdone these days, but I see your point. No need to perpetuate the “guilt” thing. :)
Nate does the same thing with desserts – doesn’t matter what they are!
I totally hear you, I made some protein balls a few months ago for workout snacks and my husband attacked them like they were dessert. I opened to fridge the next day to find 2 balls left in the bag when I probably made close to 20. Men! :) (These look awesome by the way)
yes! that’s happened on one too many occasions over here as well.
I think you should throw a dance party…to 90s music…loud 90s music.
These look divine! I don’t have coconut butter so I may replace it with almond butter :) Love all your paleo yummies!
yum! yum!! delicious!
I saw your sneak peek of this treat on Instagram last and drooled shamlessly all over my phone. I thank you for that. I need to make these stat. REB is all about eating treats and I like fooling him with good-for-you treats, which this clearly is. I’m with you on the bed situation. REB and I are cuddlers (newlywed syndrome) but there IS a distinct line of demarcation. After snuggle time is done, none shall pass.
following up from the previous comment i’ve left above,i do not like the taste of coconut butter,was curious on whether i could replace it with other nut butters like for example ; peanut butter ? :)
you could either leave it out completely or replace with a nut butter (I’d recommend almond, but pb would work too) :)
hey may i know what can i sub the coconut butter with ?
Great looking bars, Gina! And I hope you enjoy your singledom – and more bars for just you :)