✨wholesome, vegan candy bars✨

For the Date Caramel:

Soak 1 cup of pitted dates in warm water for 3 hours, or microwave them in water for 1 minute until soft. Drain the water from the dates, ensuring they are soft but not dripping. Blend the softened dates with 2-4 tbsp creamy peanut butter, a dash of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a high-speed blender or food processor until a thick paste is formed.

For the Oat Layer:

Blend 3/4 cup oats into oat flour. In a bowl, combine the oat flour with 1/4 cup of the prepared date caramel and 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter. Blend all ingredients together until a dough-like texture forms.

Assembly:

Press the oat layer evenly into a small dish. Add a layer of the remaining date caramel to the top of the oat layer. Press in toppings of choice, such as pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and coconut shreds. Place the dish in the freezer for 1 hour to set. Once firm, slice the mixture into small bars.

For the Chocolate Layer:

Melt 1.5 dark chocolate bars with 1 tsp coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Dip each bar into the melted chocolate, coating them completely. Place the chocolate-coated bars back in the freezer for 30+ minutes until the chocolate hardens. Enjoy!