I don’t think I need to explain why I am posting another recipe in lieu of a doodle today. So print this recipe, gather the ingredients, turn off your phone, your tv, your laptop, your computer, and any other device that transmits bad Trump news and pretend it is some date prior to November 9, 2016.
Unplug.
Just for a few hours.
It’s Friday and it’s been another treacherous week, so please give yourself a break from all the unpleasant news, noise, and nonsense and make these healthy-ish treats.
It will all be there waiting for you when you come back, but now you’ll have something sweet to balance the sour.
Healthy-ish Magic Cookie Bars (Dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, gluten-free)
Unplug and make these classic Magic Cookie Bars with ingredients from Trader Joe's (no, they are not a sponsor, I just love the place) that won't give you sugar shock. And they're actually pretty good for you! (Lots of protein and low in sugar.)
Ingredients
Crust
- 3/4 cup almond flour (blanched is best)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 2 tbsp agave or maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
Condensed Coconut Milk
- 1 can full fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp agave or maple syrup
Toppings
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
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Get Ready
Preheat your oven to 350. Line an 8x8 square pan with 2 pieces of criss-crossing parchment paper. Let the paper hang over the edge a bit for easy removal.
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Make and Bake the Crust
Combine the crust ingredients in a bowl.
Press crust ingredients into your lined square pan. Pack it all in there so that your crust doesn't fall apart when your bars are cut.
Bake the crust until light golden brown (around 15 minutes) and while it's baking, get started on the Condensed Coconut Milk.
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Make the Condensed Coconut Milk
Combine all the Condensed Coconut Milk ingredients in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and condense until you are left with about 1 cup of light brown (like a slightly watery caramel) coconut milk.
Condensing your milk: This requires good, old-fashioned, standing over a pot and stirring for 30-45 minutes. Yes, I repeat, you will have to stop multi-tasking and actually stay close to the pan and stir it every few minutes. Embrace this. It actually puts you in a very zen-like state. I also recommend licking the spoon every few minutes so that you understand the full extent of the deliciousness you are creating and why good things come to those you wait...and stir.
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Build Your Magic Bars
Pour about half of your gorgeous condensed coconut milk over the crust (I try and spread it to the edges) and layer it with half of the chocolate chips, almonds, and coconut. Gently pat down your toppings so that they are nestled in the condensed milk, nice and cozy. Pour the remaining condensed coconut milk over that first layer, and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, almonds, and shredded coconut on.
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Get em' cooking.
Bake for 30 minutes.
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Wait. Have patience.
Take them out and let them cool and set for about an hour and half. (This will be torture, but again, good things come to those who wait.) If you are feeling really impatient, stick them in the freezer.
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Enjoy.
Lift the bars out holding your parchment paper ends (aren't you glad you did that?) and place on a cutting board. Cut into 12 squares and eat. (Well, don't eat all of them, that would be gluttonous. Share some, and save some for another day.)
Recipe Notes
Enjoy the fact that in addition to making these delicious, not-overly-sweet, somewhat healthy treats, you cultivated patience and took a break from the onslaught of horrible news that seems to be on a never-ending loop wherever you go. (I experienced it in the waiting room at my dentist's office. As if going to the dentist wasn't unpleasant enough.)
