Description
These Red Velvet Bars are a delightful vegan and gluten-free treat, combining rich cocoa and almond flour with natural sweeteners and dairy-free chocolate chips. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, these bars offer a moist, flavorful bite that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the bars evenly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and flavors.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, melted coconut oil, unsweetened applesauce, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until smooth and homogenous.
- Mix wet and dry: Add the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can affect texture.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in the dairy-free dark chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter, giving some pockets of chocolate in each bar.
- Prepare baking pan: Grease an appropriately sized baking pan (such as an 8×8 inch) to prevent sticking, then pour and spread the batter evenly in the pan.
- Bake the bars: Place in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, checking with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Cool and cut: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 16 squares to prevent crumbling.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
- You can substitute maple syrup with agave nectar or another liquid sweetener if preferred.
- For extra moisture, consider adding a tablespoon of plant-based yogurt.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Use dairy-free chocolate chips to maintain the vegan integrity of the recipe.
