Description
These Homemade Peanut Butter Bars are a delightful treat inspired by Snickers, featuring a crunchy almond flour base, a rich peanut butter caramel layer, and a luscious chocolate topping. Perfectly balanced in sweet and salty flavors, they are dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free, making them a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional candy bars.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups finely ground blanched almond flour
- 3 tablespoons melted and cooled coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Peanut Layer
- 3/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A dash of sea salt
Chocolate Topping
- 3/4 cup dairy-free/vegan chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Combine Crust Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the almond flour, melted and cooled coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the mixture forms a thick, crumbly texture suitable for pressing.
- Bake Crust: Transfer the crust mixture into the prepared pan and evenly press it down using your fingertips to form a solid base. Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes after baking before proceeding.
- Sprinkle Peanuts: While the crust cools, evenly sprinkle the roughly chopped roasted salted peanuts over the baked base.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Heat gently, stirring frequently, until the mixture just starts to bubble, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Peanut Layer: Pour the warm peanut butter caramel mixture evenly over the peanut layer and the slightly cooled crust, spreading it gently.
- Chill Peanut Layer: Refrigerate the pan for 30 to 60 minutes to let the peanut butter layer firm up. Alternatively, freeze for 15 to 20 minutes for faster setting.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the dairy-free chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt together over low heat on the stovetop.
- Add Chocolate Layer: Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the firm peanut butter layer. Tilt the pan gently to spread the chocolate evenly across the surface.
- Chill Chocolate Layer: Place the pan back into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the chocolate to solidify completely and the bars to cool through.
- Slice Bars: Once fully set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut the slab in half, then cut each half into 8 bars approximately 1 inch wide each, resulting in a total of 16 bars.
- Store and Serve: Store the bars covered in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy to maintain their texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use an 8×8 inch pan as specified for best thickness and baking results.
- Allow crust to cool before adding peanut layer to prevent melting.
- For quicker chilling, use the freezer but monitor carefully to avoid freezing solid.
- Ensure peanut butter is creamy for smooth caramel texture.
- Use parchment paper in the pan to easily lift out the bars after chilling.
- These bars are dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
- Store bars refrigerated to keep the layers firm and fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Peanut Butter Bars, Vegan Snickers Bars, Almond Flour Bars, Dairy-Free Chocolate Bars, Homemade Candy Bars, Gluten-Free Dessert
