Healthy Nutella Crunch Bars (paleo + vegan)

I’ve been all about the simple, time sensitive recipes lately and these bars are just that, while also being packed with an incredible chocolate hazelnut flavor!

THE RECIPE:

yields: 8 bars

prep time: 10 min

total time (including cooling): 25 min

Ingredients:

For the bars-

3 dates

2 tbsp boiling water

2/3 cup hazelnuts

A pinch of salt

1 tbsp honey/maple syrup

1 tbsp coconut sugar

1 tbsp cacao powder

For the topping:

1/2 cup chopped chocolate

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional, for crunch)

A handful of crushed hazelnuts (for topping)

Instructions:

1. For the bars- Blend together the dates, boiling water, hazelnuts, salt, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and cacao powder until semi smooth (you still want there to be small chunks of hazelnuts in it)

2. Spread the mixture into a lined loaf pan and place in the freezer while you melt the topping

3. For the topping- melt together the chocolate and coconut oil in 30 second increments, mixing in between, until smooth

4. Add in the hemp seeds and pour the mixture over the bars, add hazelnuts on top, freeze until chocolate hardens (about 10-20 min) and slice into 8 bars, enjoy!