My Apricot Cacao Raw Squares came following a major lull in energy. The sugar cravings kicked in again this week, not sure if it’s the poopy weather and my body telling me to bulk up and hibernate or the lack of sleep I’m getting ergo, complete sugar crash by the afternoon? Either way, I needed to make a sweet treat, but not too icky sweet and bad for you! Enter my Apricot Cacao Raw Squares.
I’ve made something very similar in the past in the form of my Cherry Choc Raw Squares but this time I wanted a treat with a difference, a multi-layered treat perhaps (oh, I reckon I can rustle one up!)…There had been a packed of dried apricots looking longingly at me every time I opened my cupboard so I decided to put them to good use. This may look a complicated treat but I promise you it’s not. To be fair, none of my recipes are mind boggling when it comes to following them, it’s how I like to rock and roll.
Can I make these Apricot Cacao Raw Squares without nuts?
You could swap out the nut butter with a dairy free plant butter if you wish or a dairy free chocolate spread (nut free of course). This actually sounds really appealing to me and I am going to make this myself. if you are not a fan of coconut then the options you have are; swap the desiccated coconut to extra gluten free oats. Change the coconut oil for plant butter (I use Flora plant butter if you need a recommendation).
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How should I store my raw apricot and prune squares?
This is the best bit about these no-bake squares. These Apricot Cacao Raw Squares keep so well in the fridge for up to a month (probably more, but they’ve never lasted that long). I simply keep them in a Tupperware container with a lid on to prevent fridge smells changing the flavour of your treats.
Apricot Cacao Raw Squares Recipe
Apricot Cacao and Prune Slice
Ingredients
- 200 g dried prunes
- 100 g gluten free oats
- 50 g coconut oil
- 50 g desiccated coconut
- 50 g nut butter I used cashew nut
- 1 tbsp carob flour you can use cocoa powder in its place
For the apricot layer
- 200 g dried apricots
- 30 g coconut oil
- 1 tbsp water
For the chocolate topping
- 100 g 70% dairy free dark chocolate
Instructions
- Simply add all the base ingredients to a blender/food processor and whizz them all up until they come together into a paste.
- In a lined square brownie tin (mine’s 8″x8″) press the prune mixture down firmly.
- Repeat the blending process with the apricot layer ingredients, the water is to loosen the mixture to enable you to whizz it all up.
- Add this layer to the tin and smooth evenly to the edges
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave (careful not to burn, 70% has a tendency to do this if you’re not careful)
- Smooth the chocolate over the top of the apricot layer.
- Pop in the fridge for 30mins for the chocolate and layers to harden off
- Cut into 12 equal size squares
Notes
Nutrition
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I first made the Apricot Cacao & Prune Slice more than a year ago specifically for a friend of mine who loves apricots. We both have been enjoying this treat ever since. No bake, easy to make & a delicious treat for any time of the day. This is a “go to” recipe in my house.
This is a lovely comment to come on here and read, thank you Sue for taking the time to pop back and make me smile :-)
Hi Rebecca,thanks fro sharing the recipe.I love the use of chocolate topping on the recipe.
woah! This is super delicious… loved it and even tried it. cooking was perfect. Thanks for sharing this :)
These look fab! Love the ingredient list….. Right now I’m starving and could eat a whole batch!!! x
It all started when I had a load of odds and sods in my cupboard that I wanted to se up, like you I’m not afraid to experiment, some work, some don’t … this one did ;-)
Oooh these look and sound so good! The hubby would love them! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Thank you, lol, you’re not the first to say their hubby would enjoy it, could be onto something here!
I love the look of these! I may well be making a ‘version’ of these without the oats…perhaps with extra nuts…to suit the low carb diet that seems to suit me ;)! YUM.
I’m sure you could easily adapt them Vicki they are very filling so watch out!
These look incredible. I can’t eat nuts, what would you recommend instead xx
Thank you. To be fair the nut butter is there to add a bit more protein and loosen the mixture, you could easily sub the butter for a couple of tbsp’s of water to enable the mix to come together into a ball. If you ever get time to make them in your busy life I’d love to know how you get on xx
Oh! These bars look great!
Thank you :-)
Ooh yummy – I LOVE the sound of these! The photos are gorgeous too. #CookBlogShare
thank you Mandy, still have a couple left in the fridge, just goes to show how long they can last…I did hide them at the back so no one else would find them (guilty pleasures)!
Oooh yum! LOVE the look of these, esp with the addition of prunes! x
Its the prunes that add the punch in flavour, apricots are just an added bonus! x