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nut slice

There is no denying the beast within. The Bowl Licker chocolate fest continues. There is not much that needs to be said about this raw chocolate slice. It fits all of my new passions- raw, vegan, chocolate, nutty, refined sugar free, gluten free, dairy free and totally satisfying. The challenge is trying to keep it from disappearing. Unless you have a lock on your freezer, the only solution is to double the recipe and make two of these, using one as a decoy so you get to have some yourself. Yes that is selfish but in the vein of transparency, I can be snarky and perhaps that is part of my charm (?).

Of course I have my list of wishes and ways that I’d like to improve upon my life and that list, while very idealistic, looks something like this. … I want to live my life to the fullest. No wasting time on jerks or pointless projects. I want to love more. Take time to reflect and appreciate the things around me. Loose the pessimism and anxiety. Give more and ask less of people. Be open to offers for help. Surround myself with more green, less cement. Embrace color, and wear less black. Engage in more hand holding and slow romantic kisses. Spend less time looking at a TV, phone or computer screen. Drink more champagne, and eat less meat. Enjoy more live music, friends, yoga and soul searching. Loose those last 6 annoying pounds. Make fewer excuses and live in the moment. Show and tell people what they mean to me every single day. Be grateful for all those I choose to have in my life and be involved in their special moments. Eat clean, exercise regularly and learn to indulge in relaxing.

Piece of cake, right? Or should I say, slice of goodness?! No matter how I juxtapose my words, or tell you about my quirky aspirations, you’ve got to get clean with me and make some of this treat. Over the last week, I have shamelessly plopped a piece of this candy into nearly everyone’s mouth. I took particular delight in disproving all who vehemently swore that they have never had a raw or vegan dessert that was worth their time. This recipe is exceptional. Seriously unforgettable. Everyone that tries a sliver of it goes back to devour a very large piece and then talks about it later. Really there is no need to tell anyone how ‘healthful’ this sweet treat is because that just ruins the fun. It is delicious regardless of what it is missing in the ingredients list.

nut slice bar

Raw Double Chocolate Nut Carmel Mousse Slice

Ingredients

Crust:

1 cup (4 ½ oz) unsalted almonds

4 ¼ oz (approximately 9) large madjool dates

1 tsp vanilla

Filling:

½ cup (4 ½ oz) coconut oil, melted

3 TBS tahini

½ cup brown rice syrup

1 heaping cup whole unsalted cashews (soaked 1+ hour) and more cashews

¼ tsp sea salt

1 TBS cocoa powder

Sauce:

½ cup (4 ½ oz) coconut oil, melted

½ cup maple syrup

3 TBS cocoa powder

Directions

Soak cashews in a bowl of warm water for at least one hour or until ready to assemble the dessert. Once ready, drain cashews and set aside.

Line a 7 ½” x 5 ½” (3 cup) Pyrex dish with wax paper and set aside.

To create the crust, add almonds, madjool dates and vanilla in a blender. Blend until only fine pieces remain. Push mixture into the lined baking dish and place in freezer while making remainder of dessert.

For the filling add coconut oil, tahini, brown rice syrup, salt and cashews to the blender and mix until smooth. Add half of the filling to the crust, spreading evenly. Sprinkle a few additional cashews on top of the cashew filling. With the remaining portion of cashew filling, add 1 TBS cocoa and blend again until well combined. Spread the chocolate filling over the layer of nuts. And place in freezer.

The last chocolate layer is a delicate ganache. Add coconut oil, maple syrup and 3 TBS cocoa powder to together in a bowl and stir by hand to combine. Cover the filling with this last chocolate layer and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Slice into squares and if not eating right away, store in freezer.

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