No-Bake Chocolate-Coconut Peanut Butter Bars
~ These Peanut Butter Bars are filled with extra-special texture and flavor from oats and coconut, all crowned with a glorious chocolate layer. And, since they’re a no-bake bar cookie, they’re ridiculously easy. Pssst … and they’re even a little healthier too, so you’ll actually feel terrific watching your loved ones gobble them up! ~
This Recipe Is: • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
How do you prepare for the holidays?
Decorate the tree? Light the menorah? Crazy shopping? Millions and millions of Christmas cookies? Mmmmm … Christmas cookies …
I used to bake one kind of cookie each year to take to our family gatherings. That was my version of making Christmas cookies.
I didn’t need to make a whole bunch of different kinds. My mom took care of that.
It all started probably 20 years ago.
My mom and her dear friend, Ruth, used to get together the day after Thanksgiving and bake Christmas cookies. And not just a couple different kinds of cookies while they sipped tea and caught up on daily life.
No, these two ladies baked all day.
Until everything from their hair to their shoes was covered in flour dust and the counters were sticky from splattered batter. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you they baked about 150 dozen cookies in a day.
That’s 1,800 cookies, my friends. 1,800 cookies!
They called themselves “The Cookie Angels” and even put together little homemade cookbooks with favorite recipes for all their friends. These little cookbooks, photocopied on brightly colored paper, have become some of my most treasured possessions. Having my mom’s tried-and-true recipes all neatly typed up and in one spot. Priceless.
When my mom passed away three years ago, I suddenly realized that if I didn’t make Christmas cookies, all of my mom’s favorites wouldn’t be shared that year. Unacceptable.
So I pushed my sleeves up and said a prayer.
And the cookies were all awesome. Every last crumb.
Ok, so it took me a couple days. And I only made about 60 dozen. But still.
This will be the fourth year that I tie my hair up for a flurry of cinnamon and sugar. Melted chocolate smeared all over my counters.
A favorite of mine is the bar cookie.
Yeah, they aren’t as cute as perfectly shaped cut-out cookies that have been painstakingly decorated with multi-colored icing and garnished with sparkling sugar. But really, bar cookies are sooo easy, taste awesome, and are done in a flash. (Mmmmm … like our Old-Fashioned Date Bar recipe and our Peppermint-White Chocolate Chickpea Blondies.)
Plus, add in the no-bake goodness of this recipe – and it’s done in a half flash. (Is that a real measurement of time? Yes, yes it is.)
Oh, right. Totally forgot to mention that these little morsels of delight are healthy. You’ll never know it, though. They taste so good. So good.
When I was testing this recipe, I took a tray in for the teachers at my daughter’s school. I happened to see a teacher walking down the hall, eating one, and I chased after him and started asking for feedback casually asked what he thought. He told me he loved it and wanted to go back and get another. Then I told him it was healthy. He didn’t believe me.
A couple other PTO moms were also at the school, and they quickly made their way to the teacher’s lounge and divided one bar so they could each have a taste.
I was asked for the recipe. I was also asked if they could just come live at my house and eat my test batches.
Yeah … Healthy. Delicious. And perfection on your cookie tray – whether this is your one-and-only cookie for the year or one of your 150 dozen, this will shine!
No-Bake Chocolate-Coconut Peanut Butter Bars
Decadent peanut butter bars upgraded with oats and coconut ... and since they're no-bake bar cookies, they're super quick to make. You'll feel great that they're healthier, too (but nobody will even notice that part, trust me)!
• Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 3 cups shredded/flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed meal
- 1 1/2 cups natural, creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil (optional)
Instructions
- Combine oats, coconut, and flaxseed meal in a large bowl.
- Add peanut butter, honey, and vanilla, stirring to combine.
- Using wax paper, press the mixture into a 9x13" jellyroll pan.
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil (if using) in the microwave for about 3 minutes at 50% power, stirring after each minute (see note).
- Pour the chocolate over oat mixture. Using a spreader or tilting the pan, spread chocolate evenly.
- Refrigerate or freeze until chocolate is set.
- Cut into squares.
- Store in the refrigerator to keep the chocolate firm until serving.
Notes
Optional coconut oil: Coconut oil helps the chocolate to spread more easily. If omitting oil, you will need to use a spreader or spatula to spread the chocolate over the oat mixture, as it will not flow easily enough on its own.
Melting chocolate: Microwave times and cooking powers vary. Chocolate scorches easily, so check often while microwaving, especially near the end of cooking time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 48 servings Serving Size: 1 barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 139Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 55mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 3g
Nutrition calculation does not include optional coconut oil. Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may additionally vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
Shelley & Gretchen – these look AWESOME! I love that they are no bake. And I cannot wait to try the coconut in them! YUM. Sounds fabulous!!!
Hi Kristi! The no-bake amazingness is just ONE aspect that make these sooo awesome! The fact that these are healthy, (full of oats and flax and protein!) – and sweet (from the coconut and honey), but then we can’t forget the chocolate – ahhh … sheer perfection! Hope you love ’em as much as we do! 🙂 ~Gretchen
These look delicious Gretchen! I’m sure that your mum would have loved them <3
Thank you, Consuelo! You are so kind! And yes, I honestly think my mom would have loved these – the chocolate and peanut butter combination were a favorite of hers! ~Gretchen
These look wonderful. I love peanut butter and this seems like an easy holiday sweet I could make as gifts for people. I love the story about your mom–very sweet.
Hi Julia! Thank you for your kind words! 🙂
These would make a perfect treat to give as gifts! They come together so quickly, but taste like you spent all day! (I won’t tell if you don’t!) Your friends will be so very impressed with your delicious desserts! ~Gretchen
Oh Gretchen, what a wonderful memory! You mom would love knowing you are following in her footsteps. And this recipe sounds mighty tasty! Teachers always know the best cooks!
Thank you, Abbe! Yes – thankfully I have fantastic memories about my mom. I miss her terribly, but think of her often – especially when I bake!
You must try these bars – they are just so easy and taste amazing! I hope you love them! 🙂 ~Gretchen
These look incredible! I am working through fear of honey so I think I will have to make these ASAP 🙂 I love the story about your Mom’s cookbook. My mom had one as well and it’s a treasure now that she’s gone.
Yes, Sharon – I just love to read and reread her recipes. She was a home-ec teacher, so there were lots (and lots!) of recipes! 🙂 It is so special to have these – I know you understand that! A treasure, indeed!
I hope you try these! They really are sooo good! My husband has requested that we permanently have some on hand – he loves them, and wants to eat them every day! ~Gretchen