Vanilla, Date & Nut Bars with Chocolate and a Secret Ingredient

Ramadan is a time of deep contemplation and worship. Healthy Muslim adults around the world fast from dawn to sunset for a period of 29 or 30 days, abstaining from all food, drink during this time. 

It is part of Muslim tradition to break our fast with dates. That's why you'll see Muslims purchasing and eating large amounts of dates during this holy month.

Our Vanilla, Date & Nut Bars make a nutritious addition to any iftar table - full of dates that are ground into a supple paste using Two Healths Alcohol Free Vanilla Extract that is then combined with mixed roasted nuts and flaxseeds (also known as linseeds) to add healthy fats and fibre. Of course, all desserts are made better with chocolate, so these bars are topped with a layer of rich milk chocolate to make the perfect balanced treat.

These bars can be cut to any size - I find it better to cut into a mini size for kiddos and a larger size for adults. They're also versatile because you can use any dates or nuts that you have on hand.

We used ajwa dates - and unlike other recipes, we don't soak or cook the dates. Instead, they are softened by a combination of Two Healths Alcohol Free Vanilla Extract and a food processor. We used a combination of cashews, pistachios, almonds, and Brazil nuts. You can use any roasted, unsalted nuts that you like.

The best part of this recipe is that there is no baking involved - you just grind the dates, nuts, and flaxseeds, melt the chocolate, and put it all together before setting in the fridge. It's an easy recipe that comes together quickly, making it an excellent choice after a long day of fasting.

Note: this recipe is for a loaf tin worth of bars. If you would like to make more for an event or sharing with loved ones, you can double or triple the ingredients in the recipe and use a larger tin, such as a square cake tin. We recommend square/rectangle tins to make cutting the bars easier.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of dates, pitted. You could use date paste, but fresh dates are much better.
• 1 tbsp Two Healths Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup of mixed roasted nuts. We’re using almonds, cashews, pistachios and Brazil nuts, but you can use whatever you like.
• 2 tablespoons of flax seeds, ground into a powder
• 1 cup chocolate melts (milk or dark chocolate, whatever you prefer).
• Optional: handful of desiccated coconut or ground mixed nuts to decorate the top of the bar.

Method

1. Add dates and Two Healths Alcohol Free Vanilla Extract to food processor and blitz on high until it comes together into a paste. This takes about 90 seconds. Empty into mixing bowl.
2. Add dates to food processor and blitz until you have small pieces. You can leave them chunkier if you prefer. Add to mixing bowl.
3. Add flax seeds to mixing bowl and mix ingredients by hand until a consistent paste forms. Use a glove as the mixture will get stick. Alternatively, add ingredients back to food processor to combine.
4. Line a standard loaf tin with a sheet of baking paper that overhangs the tin. Note, you can use a larger or smaller loaf tin for a thinner or thicker bar.
5. Press the date mix into the tin to form an even layer.
6. Melt your chocolate and pour on top of the date mix. Gently tap the loaf tin on your bench top to allow the chocolate to settle into the date layer. Optional: top with desiccated coconut or ground nuts to decorate.
7. Cover with sheet of aluminium foil or cling wrap. Place in the fridge to set for at least two hours.
8. Remove from the fridge. Use baking paper to remove the log from the loaf tin. Cut into smaller pieces and serve.

Best kept in air-tight container in the fridge until serving. Lasts for several days in the fridge - but I promise you, they won’t last that long! They’re too good!