SAMOA COOKIE INSPIRED GRAB & GO BARS

About 9 bars, 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 11/3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

• 2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (lightly toasted)

• 1/3 cup ground walnuts (or sunflower/pumpkin seeds, lightly toasted)

• 2 tbsp coconut oil or ghee, melted

• 2 tbsp maple syrup or date syrup

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp rose water (optional, for aroma)

• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp warm water (flax egg)

• 1 1/4 cups soft Medjool dates, pitted

• 1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more for topping)

• 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk (or oat milk)

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp cardamom (freshly ground)

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free if needed)
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.

2. Make flax egg: mix ground flaxseed with warm water, let thicken 5 min while you assemble the other ingredients.

3. Toast oats, coconut, and walnuts/seeds in a dry pan for 2–3 min until fragrant. Cool slightly. Place in a food processor and pulse into a chunky flour

4. For date caramel: blend dates, coconut milk, 1 tsp vanilla, ¼ tsp salt, and rose water (if using) until smooth and creamy.

5. In a bowl: mix toasted oats/coconut/walnuts mixture, cinnamon, cardamom, flax egg, coconut oil/ghee, maple syrup, and remaining vanilla. Stir in half the date caramel.

6. Press mixture firmly into pan. Spread the remaining date caramel as a layer on top. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake 18-22 min until set and golden at edges. Option to spread the melted chocolate chips into a chocolate layer on top (or leave whole) and sprinkle with salt.

#kidfriendly #breakfast #snack #dessert #pitta #kapha #vata #spring #fall #winter

Notes

• I got inspired by Girl Scout cookie season which seems to happen every spring. I ate one and thought, "how can I make these more digestible." This is how.

• Good for all doshas. Pittas may become slightly aggravated by these in excess, since walnuts and chocolate can be heating. If that is the case, you can replace the walnuts with sunflower seeds and reduce or remove the amount of chocolate used. Kaphas would also do better with sunflower seeds instead of walnuts.

• Great for kids! My 1 year old loves them :).