Cookbook Update:
Two weeks ago, Amazon saw a crazy surge in orders of the Chocolate Covered Katie Cookbook that caused them to completely sell out of copies (which was so incredibly fantastic!!). They got more copies in and immediately sold out again, and everyone who’s tried to purchase the book since then has been told it was currently unavailable while they waited for a third printing.
Please accept my apologies for this; it’s been so frustrating not being able to tell people when the book would be back in stock. But finally, as of this morning, it should now be available again on Amazon and in stores.
Thank you so much to all of you who have been buying it!!!!
Now, let’s talk about these no-bake chocolate peanut butter brownie bars. Because… that’s why you’re really here, right? These bars can be many wonderful things, including all of the following:
raw / sugar-free / dairy-free / paleo / vegan / and gluten-free!
You don’t need to refrigerate the brownie bars, making them perfect for road trips or for adding to a lunchbox. And they also freeze well, so you can have chocolate on hand whenever a craving strikes. Which may or may not be a good thing…
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
Adapted from: Homemade Larabars
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
- just over 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups loosely packed pitted dates
- 1 cup raw almonds or walnuts
- 1/2 cup raw nuts of choice
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp water
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips, optional
- 1/4 cup nut butter of choice (or pb2) OR allergy-friendly alternative
- 2 tsp pure maple syrup or honey OR stevia to taste
- 2 tbsp milk of choice (plus extra if using stevia)
*Notes: If you have a small or medium food processor, it may be a good idea to process in two batches so as not to overwork your machine. Using a blender might yield an overly sticky result, so try that at your own risk. Recipe: In a high-quality food processor, combine all but the final three ingredients (but including the chocolate chips, if using) until sticky crumbles form. If it’s still too crumbly to stick together, process longer. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, then transfer the crumbles to the pan and use a second sheet of parchment to press down evenly into the pan. In a small dish, stir together the final three ingredients to make a frosting – it will look liquidy at first, but just keep stirring. Spread the frosting over top, then set in the fridge until ready to cut and serve. You can also drizzle melted chocolate on top if desired. I let mine sit in the fridge for a few hours, then I was easily able to slice and place the brownies in a sealed container to bring to a party. Store leftovers unrefrigerated for a few days, or refrigerated a few weeks, or frozen for up to 2 months.
View Brownie Bars Nutrition Facts
Link Of The Day:
Lucie says
Oh my gosh! These brownies look to die for! Of course, I’m biased, because PB and chocolate is my ultimate favorite flavor combination 🙂 I’d rather use almonds than walnuts, though I’m wondering – almonds are a bit harder than walnuts, should I soak them first?
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] says
Oh my goodness! Chocolate and peanut butter?! Sign me up! These would be perfect for our road trip to vacation…I can’t wait to try them out!
Michelle says
I was wondering what was going on! I had bought a copy a few months ago on amazon but I went to order a second copy last week for a friend and Amazon said it was temporarily unavailable but didn’t list a reason. A few days later when I tried again it said it was available but there were only 4 copies left.
You can bet I got one of those 4 copies! 😉
Michelle says
Oh and the brownies look awesosme! I’m going to try with almond butter.
Sarah says
These brownies look delicious, and that’s so wonderful about your book! I bought my copies long ago and everything I’ve made from it has been a big success.
D says
Love the photography!
Cassie says
Dates and peanut butter are perffff together!
Elyse says
OH MY! I am a sucker for anything chocolate and peanut butter so I’m going to pin these and make them this weekend. Can’t wait to try them!
Amy says
These look fantastic (and easy). One question though: why must the nuts be raw? Could plain roasted unsalted nuts be used instead?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I’ve only tried the recipe as written, but you are definitely free to experiment. Be sure to report back if you do! 🙂
Charlie says
I am interested in the answer also
Lucy says
Omg, this recipe arriving in my inbox just made my day. You could not have thought up something more perfect. Chocolate, peanut butter and dates are three of my favourite foods ever (also avocados and hummus. Is that strange?) Thankyou!!!
Jeanette says
Are the chocolate chips listed in the recipe for the optional drizzle on top, or are the chips optional to add to the nut mixture on the bottom? And, can I use roasted, unsalted nuts in place of raw? Thank you Katie, for your wonderful recipes! I am always amazed at what you come up with!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Included in the nut mixture. I updated the recipe with different wording to hopefully make it clearer. I haven’t tried with roasted nuts, but be sure to report back if you experiment 🙂
ashleigh says
Do the nutrition facts include the chocolate chips?
Cristina @ I Say Nomato says
Oh my goodness. These look incredible! Peanut butter and chocolate bars sound wonderful! I imagine the dates give them a really gooey texture.. yum!
Abby says
I am in LOVE with your cookbook! My goal is to try every recipe by the end of the year. My birthday is coming up and I asked my mom to make the Chocolate Obsession Cake with healthy Nutella frosting. Pretty excited about these brownies too, especially that they are no-bake!
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
Katie, I have no doubt that the next batch will sell out just as quickly once folks see this recipe! WOW! Can’t wait to share these on All Gluten-Free Desserts! 🙂
Shirley
Amanda says
Uh oh, it looks like it’s already selling out again!
I just went to order a copy (my second) on Amazon, and it told me “Only 10 left in stock”. Then after I ordered it said “Only 7 left in stock”.
🙂 Katie, you are a rock star!
Sprinkles of Sweetness says
Oh, my! These look too good to be true. I can’t wait to make them.
Aenia says
I am making this ASAP, as soon as I get more dates (and peanuts). Chocolate+peanut/nut butter is my favorite combination of all times 🙂 I love all of your chocolate+pb recipes by the way!!
Gemma says
Such a great recipe! I love the idea of spreading this yummy frosting on top of the squares.
🙂
Candice says
Great idea coating the brownies with peanut butter and drizzling with chocolate, they look like they come from some fancy coffee and cake shop!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These bars look so so so amazing and I love that they’re no bake as it has been upwards of 90 degrees in DC as of late!
Maria says
Wow, these look so pretty and are actually a healthy decadent treat! I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I love sweetening goodies with dates as you do here. This is a keeper!
Colleen says
I made these but they turned out more like chocolate frosting covered with peanut butter frosting – mine definitely were not the texture of a bar and could have easily been spread on a cake! I followed the recipe exactly with walnuts so I’m not sure what went wrong. But the flavor was great.
Dina says
These look delicious! I’ll definitely be trying these out!
Dina // Love Letters and Lace
Lauren says
Looks awesome!! Would love to see more paleoable recipies!:)
Amy says
Bought some dates and nuts over the weekend and this recipe looks AWESOME! I wanna do this one 🙂 I feel like I need a special occasion to make them though…your photos are pretty nice!
Jules @ WolfItDown says
Mmmm raw peanut butter brownie supreme! 😀 This looks gorgeous! 😀 And what great news about your book as well, congratulations 😀 x
Shaindel says
Question: Can you work on turning some of these recipes to date-free? They all look so yummy, but as a religious Jew, I would need to hand-check all dates for bugs before using, and that is VERY time-consuming.
Thanks! It would be very much appreciated
Sandy says
Can you do raisins? Or other dried fruits?
Shaindel says
My family doesn’t do raisins, but others do. Usually currants are considered a substitute for raisins but I’ve never tried it, and I have no idea if they’d work as a substitute for dates.
We do use most dried fruits without checking, though. Any ideas which would work?
Karen says
Can you do prunes? I think those might work.
Shaindel says
I could use prunes. I’ve never used them, though. Would it change the flavor?
Karen says
It might, I haven’t tried it, but people have said in the comments of Katie’s fudge baby recipe that they have successfully made them with prunes and this is a very similar recipe so I think it should work.
Shaindel says
Thanks! We’ll definitely have to try it. Do you think it would work in other recipes (like the {no bake} Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake or Raw Chocolate Fudge Balls)?
Alyssa says
Congrats on the book success!! How exciting! These bars look awesome! I love no bake recipes…it’s perfect for a quick sweet tooth fix. 🙂
http://www.sweetlytattered.com
Sandy says
Made ’em! But I used macadamia nuts because it’s all I had on hand. They are fabulous!
Melissa Webb says
Congrats on selling out of your book… Twice! Amazing! I love your book and can’t wait for another one!
Jamie says
I am obsessed with all of these flavors. This actually reminds me a lot of a recipe from further food that I make religiously, just in ball-form! http://www.furtherfood.com/recipe/dark-chocolate-peanut-butter-crunch-balls-coconut-flour-maple-syrup-recipe-endometriosis-anti-inflammatory-diet-naturally-sweetened/
easypeasy says
Love no-bakes and love peanut butter so this perfect! 🙂
clueless canadian says
Hi Katie! I love your website. Your positivity and creativeness are admirable 🙂 I just recently started my own blog about health and wellness… hope to be as successful as you!
Medeja says
I like the ingredients and that it’s no bake!
Harriet Emily says
Oh my gosh these look soooo heavenly! They have to be the best brownie bars I’ve ever seen!! There’s nothing I love more than the chocolate and peanut butter combo! MMM!
Um Rabee says
How can we get your cookbook internationally?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Sorry for the delayed reply. A lot of readers are getting the book from Book Depository… they will ship anywhere in the world for free! http://www.bookdepository.com/Chocolate-Covered-Katie-Katie-Higgins/9781455599707
Allyson says
I made these. I used macadamia nuts in addition to the walnuts. Mine turned out not sticky enough apparently bc when I went to cut it it totally crumbled. So I dished out the servings and we are with a spoon. But I’d really like it to be a brownie. Just processing longer will do this? I’m afraid to try again without knowing for sure!
Thanks!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Yes, processing longer will release the oils in the nuts 🙂
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
these look AMAZINGGG! pinned these I totally want to try them 😉 they look so addicting! YUM
Katy | Her Cup of Joy says
Wow your brownies look amazing, I can’t even believe they’re no bake. I must make these asap! By the way, congrats on your cookbook! That is so amazing that you’ve come this far at such a young age!
Mattie says
I am new to your blog but I saw these on pinterest and knew I HAD to make them. I used all walnuts for the nuts, and they were so freaking good I wanted to eat the whole pan!
Thanks from a new fan!
evelyn says
Please send me recipes to my e-mail address Thank you !
urbanvegan says
Yum! How many servings does this make, Katie?
Unofficial CCK Helper says
You can cut them whatever size you want from the 8-inch pan. On the nutrition page, it says it is based on 20 brownies as seen in the photos.
Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship says
Who said no bake brownies couldn’t get any better?
jessi says
any suggestions for if i don’t have a food processor? these look DELISH
Liz says
KATIE, YOU ARE A GENIUS! Made these last night, they are unreal. They are 1000000% boyfriend-approved as well. Ever recipe I make of yours is better than the last!!! I’m a huge fan!
Freddy Falck says
I am a chocolate fanatic and have got many interested in the art of making chocolate. Your recipe of Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bars sounds delicious and I am sure to try that out.
Gina says
Oh, Chocolate Covered Katie, you’re my hero! I made these last night to share with friends and they are sooo good! They definitely hit that I-need-a-brownie spot!
Denise says
Hi Katie:
I made these yesterday and they are delicious. I used 1 c. Walnuts and 1/2 c. Raw pistachios. For 2 & 1/2 cups of medjool dates, I used 11 per cup, so 27 total. It’s always a good idea to measure out your dates because sizes are different.
One recommendation is ‘don’t over process’!!!!!!!! At one point, things looked perfect, I could definitely pinch the mixture and it stuck together.
I could see pieces of walnut & pistachio and chocolate chips (dairy free – I’m vegan) and IT IS AT THIS VERY POINT THAT YOU SHOULD STOP AND UNPLUG THE FOOD PROCESSOR. I made the choice to pulse a few more times and the dough changed. Shiny in appearance. Don’t let it happen to you ; ) !
It’s a great recipe, Katie!! I also added some cinnamon and anise seeds. I did swirl some melted chocolate over the top.
Lindsay says
Made these tonight as a treat as my husband and I are doing 30 days of Paleo, and we LOVE them!! Amazing recipe! He said that they are his favourite dessert!
So excited to see what else you have up your sleeve!
Ronda Weiss says
I made these today and they’re so good! I used hemp seeds as my “nut of choice” and used honey in the topping with crunchy PB. They’re fast, tasty, and low in guilt.
Theresa "Sam" Houghton says
I need these in my mouth RIGHT NOW.
Rosemary says
I thought these were wonderful. Chocolate and peanut butter are perfect together. Thanks CCK.
Joan says
How do you make them stick together? Had trouble with this and put in Vitamix to blend well. I wondered if it is the type of dates you use. I noticed in the story there were softer or firmer dates.
Best Vegan Books For Beginners says
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