Irresistible No-Bake Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free)

Discover the ultimate healthy dessert: Almond butter chocolate chunk cookie bars layered with a rich chocolate date topping. A truly fun, decadent, and guilt-free vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free treat!

Hello, wonderful readers! How is 2021 unfolding for you all? Here in my world, it has been an absolute whirlwind of activity, a vibrant tapestry woven with ambitious projects and the beautiful chaos of everyday life. From tirelessly crafting fresh content for this blog to diving deep into an exciting cookbook deal, every moment feels packed with purpose.

Truth be told, sometimes I feel like a walking, talking emoji – a mix of the exhausted face and maybe even a slight skeleton for good measure! But, please don’t mistake my candor for complaint. Quite the opposite, in fact. This incredible, expansive busyness is nothing short of a dream I’ve actively manifested.

For months, throughout the entirety of 2020, I diligently penned “I published a cookbook” into my manifestation journal, day after day, week after week. I visualized it, I believed in it, and then, last fall, it truly blossomed into reality. Receiving that acceptance email was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. I remember forwarding it to M with a flurry of enthusiastic capital letters: “THIS IS SO EXCITING!”

In the midst of this wonderfully overwhelming season, I’m constantly striving to tap into that initial wonder and excitement. It’s easy to get lost in the to-do lists, but anchoring myself in gratitude for these opportunities helps immensely. And speaking of wonder and excitement, I truly believe you’ll have absolutely *no* difficulty finding it when you try my latest recipe today.

While it might be crunch time for me on the work front, it’s definitely munch time for you! Get ready to sink your teeth into these incredible Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars. What makes them truly special? They are entirely no-bake, making them a breeze to prepare, and boast TWO layers of pure, unadulterated vegan and gluten-free deliciousness. They’re also free from refined sugar, making them a healthier indulgence you can feel good about.

So, let’s ditch the oven, gather our ingredients, and make some unbelievably delicious cookie bars together!

Why You’ll Love These No-Bake Cookie Bars

Before we dive into the creation process, let’s highlight what makes these Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars an absolute must-try. Beyond their incredible taste, they offer a wealth of benefits that cater to various dietary preferences and busy lifestyles:

• Effortless & No-Bake: No need to turn on your oven! These bars come together quickly and simply, requiring only a freezer to set. Perfect for hot days or when you want a delicious treat without the fuss.
• Diet-Friendly: Cater to a wide audience! These bars are completely vegan, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly. This means they’re suitable for those with dairy allergies, gluten sensitivities, or anyone seeking plant-based and whole-food options.
• Refined Sugar-Free: Sweetened naturally with pure maple syrup and Medjool dates, you can enjoy these bars without the spike and crash associated with refined sugars.
• Rich & Decadent: Despite being healthy, these bars don’t compromise on flavor or texture. They are moist, fudgy, and packed with deep chocolate and nutty goodness.
• Customizable: While the recipe is perfect as is, you can easily adapt it. Swap almond butter for cashew butter, or experiment with different chocolate varieties.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a batch and store them in the freezer for whenever a craving strikes. They’re a convenient and healthy snack or dessert option.

What You Need to Make the Delectable Chocolate Chunk Cookie Layer

The foundation of these amazing bars is a rich, chewy almond butter cookie layer. It’s incredibly simple, requiring minimal ingredients that pack a punch of flavor and wholesome goodness. Here’s your essential shopping list for the first layer:

• Creamy Almond Butter: This is the star of our cookie base, providing richness, healthy fats, and that delightful nutty flavor. Opt for a natural, drippy, creamy almond butter with minimal added ingredients for the best texture and taste. Avoid almond butters with added sugars or oils if you’re aiming for a refined sugar-free and wholesome treat.
• Melted Coconut Oil: Coconut oil acts as a binder and helps achieve that perfect, firm-yet-tender cookie bar consistency once chilled. Make sure it’s fully melted but not piping hot when you add it to the mixture.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice! Maple syrup adds a lovely depth of flavor and helps keep the bars refined sugar-free. Ensure you’re using pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for the best results and health benefits.
• Himalayan Sea Salt: Just a pinch is all you need to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness. Don’t skip this; salt is a flavor enhancer!
• Almond Flour: This fine-ground flour, made from blanched almonds, provides the structure for our cookie layer while keeping it gluten-free and low-carb. It contributes to the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Hu Kitchen Gems: These premium dark chocolate chunks are my absolute favorite for baking and snacking. They are not only delicious but also paleo, vegan, and certified gluten-free, aligning perfectly with the healthy profile of these bars.

That’s literally all it takes for the first amazing layer!

How to Effortlessly Create the Chocolate Chunk Cookie Layer

Making these Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars couldn’t be simpler, especially since they’re completely no-bake! Follow these steps for a perfectly structured and delicious first layer:

1. Prepare Your Pan: To ensure your bars come out beautifully and for easy cleanup, I highly recommend using an 8×8-inch baking pan. Line it thoroughly with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This thoughtful step will allow you to easily lift the entire slab of bars out once they’re set, making slicing a breeze.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the creamy almond butter, melted coconut oil, pure maple syrup, and that essential pinch of Himalayan sea salt. Stir these ingredients together vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and harmonious. The creamy almond butter is key here for a consistent base. If your almond butter is very thick, you might want to gently warm it slightly to make it more pliable.
3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Next, add the almond flour to your wet mixture. Continue stirring until all the almond flour is fully integrated and you have a well-combined, thick, and sticky dough. The texture should resemble a very dense cookie dough.
4. Adjust Consistency (if needed): It’s normal for the dough’s consistency to vary slightly depending on your specific almond butter and almond flour. If your dough appears too crumbly and isn’t sticking together properly, gradually add a bit more creamy almond butter, a touch more melted coconut oil, or even a tiny drizzle of maple syrup, one teaspoon at a time. Mix well after each addition until the dough comes together beautifully and is easily pressable. Conversely, if it seems too wet, add a tablespoon of almond flour.

The Magic of Hu Kitchen Gems

Once your cookie dough base is perfectly mixed, it’s time for the chocolate! Gently fold in your chosen chocolate chunks – and as you know, I absolutely adore Hu Kitchen Gems. These are truly my secret weapon for a rich, satisfying chocolate experience in these bars.

I am genuinely obsessed with these 70% dark chocolate baking and snacking chunks! They are a game-changer, not just for their intense chocolate flavor but also for their commitment to wholesome ingredients. They are completely paleo, vegan, and certified gluten-free, which means they fit seamlessly into a wide range of dietary needs without sacrificing quality or taste.

You might notice their packaging has a beautiful new look! Hu Kitchen is constantly evolving, and while the packaging may vary depending on the roll-out in your specific location, rest assured that the contents inside are the same incredibly delicious, high-quality chocolate gems you know and love. Their dedication to simple, real ingredients shines through every bite.

After folding in the gems, press the entire mixture evenly into your prepared 8×8-inch pan. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to ensure it’s firmly compacted and forms a smooth, even layer. This creates the perfect base for our next decadent layer.

Finally, place the pan into the freezer to chill while you prepare the second layer – our luscious Chocolate Date topping. This chilling step is crucial to help the cookie layer firm up and create a stable foundation.

What You Need to Craft the Irresistible Chocolate Date Layer

Now for the grand finale: a rich, fudgy, naturally sweet chocolate date layer that perfectly complements the nutty cookie base. This layer adds an incredible depth of flavor and a wonderfully smooth texture. Here’s what you’ll need to create this irresistible topping:

• Walnuts: These provide a fantastic richness and a slightly earthy flavor to the chocolate date layer. They also contribute to the fudgy texture when blended. You can use raw walnuts for the best results.
• Raw Cacao Powder: For an intense, unprocessed chocolate flavor, raw cacao powder is essential. It’s rich in antioxidants and gives our topping a deep, dark hue and a wonderful chocolatey punch without any added sugars.
• Himalayan Sea Salt: As with the cookie layer, a small pinch of sea salt in this layer helps to brighten all the flavors and cut through the richness, creating a perfectly balanced taste experience.
• Medjool Dates: The natural sweetener and binder for this layer! Medjool dates are renowned for their soft, caramel-like texture and rich sweetness. They are crucial for creating that gooey, fudgy consistency without any refined sugars. Always ensure they are pitted before adding them to your food processor.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: A splash of unsweetened almond milk helps to achieve the perfect smooth, spreadable consistency for your chocolate date mixture. Start with a small amount and add more only if necessary.

That’s all for the second layer ingredients!

Crafting the Silky Smooth Chocolate Date Layer

This chocolate-date layer is wonderfully straightforward to prepare, coming together seamlessly in a small blender or a food processor. The key is to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency that will beautifully top your cookie base.

1. Initial Pulse: Begin by adding the walnuts, raw cacao powder, and that tiny but mighty pinch of sea salt to your food processor. Pulse these ingredients gently but repeatedly until the walnuts are finely chopped. You’re looking for a crumbly, coarse mixture at this stage, not a paste.
2. Add the Dates: Next, introduce the pitted Medjool dates into the food processor. Pulse again to start combining them with the walnut-cacao mixture. It might look a bit chunky at first.
3. Ensure Moist Dates: For the best results, your dates should be wonderfully gooey and moist. This is crucial for achieving that signature fudgy texture. If your Medjool dates feel a bit dry or firm to the touch, don’t despair! A quick trick is to soak them in hot water for about 5-10 minutes. Afterward, drain them thoroughly before adding them to your food processor. This will rehydrate them, making them much easier to blend into a smooth paste.
4. Achieve Smoothness: Continue to blend or process everything until the mixture transforms into a wonderfully smooth, thick paste. It should be consistent in texture and easily spreadable.
5. Troubleshooting Consistency: If you find your mixture struggling to blend or getting stuck around the blades, a little liquid can help immensely. I recommend adding 1-2 tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk, one tablespoon at a time, and processing until the desired smooth, creamy consistency is reached. Be careful not to add too much liquid, as you want a thick, fudgy layer, not a runny one.

Assembling and Setting Your Decadent Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars

The final steps to creating these delectable no-bake bars are all about bringing the layers together and allowing them to set to perfection.

1. Layer it Up: Carefully retrieve your baking pan, with its chilled cookie layer, from the freezer. Now, take your freshly prepared chocolate date mixture and evenly spread it over the firm cookie base. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to ensure a smooth, uniform topping. This layer should reach all the way to the edges, creating a beautiful, cohesive look.
2. Final Chill: Once the chocolate date layer is perfectly smoothed out, transfer the pan back to the freezer. Allow it to chill and firm up for at least half an hour. This crucial setting time ensures that both layers are perfectly integrated and solid enough to be cleanly sliced without crumbling. For even firmer bars, you can extend the chilling time to an hour or more.
3. Slice and Serve: After the bars have had ample time to set, remove the pan from the freezer. Using the parchment paper overhang, carefully lift the entire slab of cookie bars out of the pan and place it onto a clean cutting board. With a sharp knife, slice the slab into 12 to 16 individual bars, depending on your preferred size. For a clean cut, you can run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices.
4. Storage Solutions: Any remaining bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer-term enjoyment, these bars freeze beautifully! Store them in a freezer-safe container, separated by parchment paper, for up to 2-3 months. They make an excellent grab-and-go treat straight from the freezer.

How to Serve and Savor Your Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars

Get ready to elevate your dessert experience! These Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars offer a next-level cookie-in-a-bar situation that is truly in a league of its own. They masterfully bridge the gap somewhere between a traditional cookie, a rich brownie, and a satisfying bar, creating a unique and irresistible treat.

Expect a delightful combination of textures and flavors in every bite. They are wonderfully moist, undeniably decadent, intensely chocolatey, and wonderfully nut-buttery. The fudgy chocolate date topping perfectly complements the chewy almond butter cookie base, creating a harmonious symphony for your taste buds.

These cookie bars are incredibly rich and utterly delicious, my friends, so make sure to slice them accordingly! A modest square is often all you need to satisfy that sweet craving. They are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up, a delightful after-dinner dessert, or even a healthier sweet snack to share with friends and family. They’re also an excellent option for parties, potlucks, or simply as a special treat for yourself.

One of the best features of these Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars is their freezer-friendliness. Feel free to make an entire pan and then stash them away in your freezer. This ensures you always have a wholesome square of something sweet on hand for whenever a craving strikes, or for unexpected guests. Just pull one out, and you’re good to go!

If you’re serving them from the freezer, allow the frozen bars to thaw for approximately 15 minutes at room temperature before indulging. This brief thaw time brings them to their optimal soft and chewy texture, making them an absolute dream to eat.

Enjoy every glorious bite!

More Irresistible Layered Bar Recipes to Explore

If you loved the concept of these layered, no-bake bars, you’re in for a treat! I have a passion for creating delicious, wholesome layered desserts that satisfy without compromise. Here are a couple more favorites that I highly recommend you try next:

• Cashew Butter Buckeye Brownies

  These brownies feature a rich chocolate base topped with a creamy cashew butter filling, all coated in a decadent chocolate shell. They’re like a classic buckeye candy but in brownie form, and just as healthy and delicious as these cookie bars!

• Mint Dark Chocolate Coconut Layer Bars

  If you’re a fan of mint and chocolate, these bars are a dream come true. Layers of rich dark chocolate, refreshing mint, and tropical coconut combine to create a truly luxurious and wholesome treat. They’re perfect for holidays or when you’re craving something cool and chocolatey.

I Want to Hear From You!

Your feedback means the world to me, and I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations! If you decide to make this Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars recipe, please let me know how it turns out.

Don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below with your thoughts, a star rating, and a review. Your insights are invaluable and help me to continue creating more delicious and wholesome recipes that you’ll adore.

I’d also love for you to give me a shout on Instagram! Be sure to use the hashtag #floraandvino when you share your beautiful creations so I can see and celebrate them.

For more healthy and delicious recipes like this one, be sure to check out my Pinterest page. You can easily pin your favorites to save them for later!

Love this post and eager for more wholesome, plant-based inspiration? Head over to my homepage and subscribe to my newsletter to get new recipe updates, tips, and exclusive content delivered right to your inbox!

XO Lauren

Print

This post is proudly brought to you by Hu Kitchen, but all words and delicious eats are entirely my own. I extend my sincere thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry and inspire these wonderful recipes!

Photography beautifully captured by Hot Pan Kitchen