It has been almost 6 months since I began my clean eating journey, and although I have had a few missteps here and there, overall I have stuck to my mission of eating whole and unprocessed foods. I feel great and am more tuned into my body and how food affects me than ever before. My family is eating healthier, we have more energy, and my husband and I are looking just as good as the day we got married. That being said, I am still a chocolate monster and I love to bake. So, what's a girl to do? Get creative! Who says a treat has to be full of sugar and junk? I scoured Pinterest for some Paleo treats and came across a few recipes that looked yummy. I decided to go out on a limb and combine elements of recipes that looked good to me. Always a dangerous idea since it doesn't always work out the way I dreamed up. This recipe turned out great! Since it reminds me of the cookie bars my in laws make around the holidays, I decided to name it after them (but the Paleo version), "Paleo Dream Bars." Be aware if you decide to try this recipe, the crust is very crumbly and falls apart pretty easily. This didn't bother us at all because it tastes great! We will be sticking this one in our recipe box and making it again very soon... Enjoy! Crust
Topping
Start by making the crust and popping it in the oven first so it can crisp up while you prep the other items. Blend the solid coconut oil and maple syrup together using a hand mixer. Mix in the coconut flour and salt until you form a cookie like consistency. Press the dough into a greased (I used spray coconut oil) 9x11 inch pan. Bake at 350 for about 7 minutes or until the edges get golden. While the crust is baking, make the coconut sauce. This is what makes the bars dreamy... Scoop out the coconut cream into a pan, leaving any liquid behind. Add honey to the pan and bring to a simmer while stirring, approximately 10 minutes. Allow the crust to cool and then top with your choice of chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Pour the coconut sauce over the entire dish and tilt the dish until the sauce is spread evenly. Top with unsweetened coconut flakes and place in the oven for about 25 minutes or until the top and sides look crisp and browned. Allow dish to cool, then place in the refrigerator for at least one hour to let the sauce solidify. Cut into bars and enjoy without guilt! Please let me know how yours turn out!
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