Okay – I confess – I was a snickers, twix and milky way fanatic for lots of years, and at first, I was bummed to learn that very few of these types of candy bars are vegan.  That was a few years ago.  Since then I have long since stopped missing them and have even given up white sugar which was very easy to do thanks mostly to raw desserts.  I never realized how delicious raw desserts could be.  They are so incredible and easy to make and I feel like I am giving myself a healthy treat as opposed to processed garbage that doesn’t even taste good but my brain had been tricked into thinking it tasted good over years and years of conditioning.  Now, I wouldn’t go near a snickers bar even if they made it vegan.  No way.  They can’t even hold a candle to these bars.  Especially when I put some chopped peanuts on top before the chocolate coating!  That is what I usually do, but this batch I made for someone with a peanut allergy so I left the peanuts out.  Just a matter of preference – but if snickers was your thing, definitely throw on some peanuts!  And enjoy – a candy bar you can be proud to give to your loved ones.  I smile inside whenever my kids reach for one of these for a sweet treat!

Line an 8×6” pan with plastic wrap, hanging over the edges.

nougat

• 1/2 c soft, medjool dates (if not soft, soak in warm water at least 20 minutes to soften)
• 1 1/2 c  raw cashews
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 – 2 T water

caramel

• 2 c soft, medjool dates (if not soft, soak in warm water at least 20 minutes to soften)
• 1 1/4 t vanilla
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/2 c walnuts + 1 T water
• 1/4 c coconut oil

chocolate

• 1/2 c coconut oil, melted
• 3/4 c cacao powder
• 1/8 t salt
• 1/4 t vanilla
• 1/2 c agave nectar

I LOVE autumn!  It is without a doubt my favorite season and I never tire of seeing the gorgeous foliage which reminds me how magnificent nature is.  As soon as that fall crispness hits the air, I start making all my favorite fall recipes and even start planning my Thanksgiving menu.  Fall comfort foods are definitely my favorite (disclaimer – coconut ice cream is not just for summer) and I practically worship stuffing with gravy and roasted sweet potatoes.  This year, since I have begun to obsess over raw desserts, I wanted to try to make something with pumpkin, the ultimate mascot of edible fall.  This pumpkin candy is so fabulous.  It melts in your mouth and makes me completely forget about those chemical, pus infused, cruel and awful for your health snickers, milky ways and kit kats.  Seriously, once you start eating raw desserts, you lose interest in the artificial crap with refined sugar.  This is what chocolate is meant to  taste like.  And this recipe is so very simple to make.  This is a treat you can feel great about sharing with your loved ones!

Crust:

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup dates (about 8 medjool)
• 1/4 cup plus 2 T cocoa powder
• 2 T maple syrup
• pinch salt

Filling:

• 1/2 cup dates (about 8 medjool)
• 1 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1 1/2 t vanilla
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 t cinnamon
• pinch salt

Chocolate:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/8 t salt
• 1/4 t vanilla
• 1/2 cup agave nectar

Place all crust ingredients in food processor and process until it forms a large ball.

Roll into about 50 little balls and then place on aluminum foil and flatten each with 2 fingers.  They should be about the size of a US nickel.  Place in freezer while making the filling.

Place all filling ingredients in processor and process until smooth.

Place 1/2 t filling on each disc of crust and place in freezer again for at least an hour.

Note – You will have extra filling and could probably get away with halving the filling ingredients, but I love having extra.  I keep it in the fridge for 5 or so days and always find ways to enjoy it.  My favorite is to put a scoop on my oatmeal in the mornings.  What a heavenly breakfast.

Once at least an hour has passed, melt the coconut oil in a large glass bowl in 10 second increments in the microwave until liquid.  Add remaining chocolate ingredients and stir until smooth.

Drop each disc in the bowl and roll in the chocolate to thoroughly coat.

Place back on the aluminum foil and freeze.

Ready to enjoy immediately.

Store in the freezer and defrost a few minutes before eating or store  in the fridge.

Makes 50 pieces.

Making raw desserts is so much fun and making raw candy is particularly satisfying!  When I first made raw peanut butter cups I was blown away at how incredibly delicious they were.  I have to give a shout out to the wonderful person behind the www.glutenfreevegangirl site – because her recipe is perfection!  It was also the inspiration for these chocolate cherry cups which I simply adore.  I have noticed that for some reason, there is only about one month per year when I can get frozen organic cherries.  I know this because I start missing the fresh ones that were around over the summer and I stock up on the frozen ones.  But one month from now, they will be hard to find.  So, I make lots of delicious desserts with cherries until I can no longer find them at all and have to wait for summer to come around again.  These candy cups are easy and fun to make and they taste great!  I like to keep them in the freezer because they defrost quite quickly.  I have been known, however, to be impatient and eat them frozen as well!

Chocolate layer:

• 2 cups pitted dates
• 1/2 cup plus 2 T cacao powder
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 2 pinches salt
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts
• 1 T water

Cherry filling:

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup coconut milk – not low fat
• 1 T maple syrup
• 1 t coconut oil
• 1 t vanilla
• 3/4 cup frozen cherries
• 2 small pinches salt

In a food processor, process the walnuts and the water until it is the consistency of peanut butter.  Add the remaining chocolate layer ingredients to the walnut butter.  Process until it comes together.

Line 3 mini muffin tins with paper liners (makes 36).

Divide chocolate into thirds.  Reserve one third.

Roll the remaining 2/3 into balls and then flatten in the palms of your hands.  See photos for size.

Place one flattened ball into each liner and press into bottom and up sides.

Place all ingredients for filling in food processor and process until creamy.

Spoon 1/2  t of filling into each liner.

With the reserved one third dough, roll and flatten smaller balls and place on top of each cup.

Freeze until hardens, usually at least an hour.

Store in freezer.

Raw desserts are rocking my world!  Wow!  I never knew anything could be so delicious without refined carbs and unhealthy oils.  And so easy to make as well!  I can’t stop making them.  This one came out so delicious I couldn’t wait to share it.  It does have a small amount of alcohol in it that is obviously not cooked out, so please keep that in mind.  Nocello, walnut liquor, is so incredible it may be my very favorite after dinner drink.  It was my inspiration for this dessert and that is why I added the pear, because walnut and pear pair perfectly (see what I did there?), and the candied walnuts for garnish.  I guess I don’t need to tell you that I enjoyed a slice of this yumminess with a glass of warm Nocello.  Perfection.

crust:

• 1 c walnuts
• 10 soaked, pitted dates
• 1/4 c cocoa powder
• 1/2 c soaked cashews
• 2 T maple syrup

Process all together in food processor and then press into the bottom of a lightly greased 8” springform pan.

filling:

• 1 ripe pear, peeled
• 1 1/2 c soaked cashews
• 4 T coconut oil
• 1/4 c nocello (or kahlua or frangelico)
• 1/4 c maple syrup
• 1 t vanilla

Place all filling ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Pour over crust and freeze for 30 minutes.

glaze:

• 1/2 c cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/2 c coconut oil, melted
• 1/8 t salt
• 1/4 c maple syrup
• 1/2 t vanilla

Whisk together all glaze ingredients.

After 30 minutes, pour glaze over hardened filling.

Freeze 60-90 minutes more.

candied walnuts:

• 1 c walnuts
• 3 T maple syrup
• pinch salt

Place nuts, syrup and salt in a dry pan and cook over medium high until sticky, about 3-5 minutes.