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September 12, 2011

Maple Cashew Oatmeal Squares

maple cashew oatmeal squares

I absolutely LOVE oatmeal raisin cookie dough. It’s the only cookie dough that I’ll actually eat. Other doughs just don’t compare.  There’s something about the texture of the oats mixed with brown sugar and a hint of salt that makes me swoon. Yesterday I was sitting on my couch flipping through this Raw Energy Cookbook I picked up at the library and the teaser on this recipe said that it tastes just like chilled oatmeal raisin cookie dough. SOLD! I immediately sprung into the kitchen to test it out.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

After quickly blending a few ingredients in the food processor I was blown away; it totally DOES taste like oatmeal raisin cookie dough! You won’t find eggs, butter, flour or refined sugar in this mixture YET it totally tastes like dough. Weird. Crazy. Amazing! One of these Maple Cashew Oatmeal Squares pairs perfectly with a glass of milk/soymilk. I bet they’d also be great with a scoop of ice cream on top. The trick is to keep the squares in the freezer so they remain chewy. At room temperature they tend to be super gooey; they’re raw! With that said, I have a strong feeling these might not last very long in my freezer this week.

And we’re off!

Gather your ingredients.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Chop up the dates.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Add the dates, cashews, oats & cinnamon to a food processor.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Add in the maple syrup & a heavy pinch of sea salt.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

PROCESS!! This is what it looks like after 30 seconds.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Put the mixture into a baking pan that has been greased with coconut oil.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Push down with your hands until the surface is flat and even.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Place a little parchment on top and pop the dough into the freezer.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Carefully cut your pieces. Use a spatula to pick them out.

maple cashew oatmeal squares

Maple Cashew Oatmeal Squares!!

maple cashew oatmeal squares

It’s like you’re eating dough, but not!

Maple Cashew Oatmeal Squares

Makes 16 squares

(recipe slightly adapted from Raw Energy: 124 Raw Food Recipes, by Stephanie Tourles)

  • 10 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup raw oats
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • heavy pinch sea salt
  • coconut oil for the pan

Place the dates, cashews, oats, maple syrup, cinnamon and a heavy pinch of sea salt in the food processor. Process for about 30 seconds until you have a dough that resembles oatmeal raisin cookie dough. Coat the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan with coconut oil. Place the oat mixture in the pan, and spread evening with your hands. Pat the mixture down evenly and then cover. Put the baking sheet in a freezer for at least 4 hours. When relatively firm, remove from the freezer and cut into 2 inch squares.

Store the squares in a tightly sealed container in the freezer for up to 2 months. If they are served at room temperature, the squares will be too soft and sticky. They remain chewy when they eaten right out of the freezer.

Shutterbean Notes-

-If you don’t have coconut oil, line the bottom with parchment paper. It will help you get the squares out of the baking pan.

  • Kathryn

    What an awesome idea!

  • Liz

    A food processor just jumped to the top of my wishlist! 🙂

  • lulu

    These look amazing! I would have never thought of doing something like this.

  • Katrina

    I want these badly. Yum!

  • Sarah

    I love that book! I’ve never made anything from it, but I have it on my shelf and it provides endless inspiration. These looks just awesome. Nice work! I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off them either.

  • marci

    you had me at “cashews”. Yum! I think I have all of this stuff at home, including the dates. So excited to try! thank you!!

  • Ali

    This reminds me of chocolate chip cookie dough balls from Oh She Glows. They too taste just like their non-vegan counterparts. Can’t wait to try these. I need some Medjool dates and then I’m off to the kitchen! Yum.

  • Jessica Ann

    Anything that taste like raw cookie dough is a winner as far as I’m concerned, especially if you can eat lots of it guilt free. Yay!

  • Jen

    I’m currently thinking of the way you say “cashew” and how I think it sounds a bit like, cash-shoe, and I’m laughing a little. Although, now that I’m thinking of saying it like that, I can’t really think of any other way to say it. Hmph. 🙂

  • Rachel

    I really like the look of these bars! I had my eye on that cookbook a while back but talked myself out of buying it. I always forget about the library.
    I’m adding cashews and mape syrup to my grocery list to go along with the tub full of dates I already have.

  • Amanda Barkey

    mmmm im so with you on this one although i cant help myself around chocolate chip cookie dough either… or peanut butter cookie dough… or… ok, i love them ALL but oatmeal is my fave. its so the texture thing! i love working with dates! these are like lara bars but with oatmeal in em, genius!

  • Nicole

    Oatmeal raisin cookies are the best and I like the look of these. Does it help that they’re hiding in the freezer at all? Out of site, out of mind?

  • Maris (In Good Taste)

    Maple is one of my favorite fall flavors. Sounds so good!

  • joy the baker

    these look like something my cat would love.

  • Leah

    These look great!! I really need a food processor…..

  • Ashley (Peace.Love.Pastries.)

    Wow, these sound delicious! Cashews are my favorite nut and I LOVE oatmeal cookies! This is def on my “to make” list! Thanks!

  • ksf in SF

    random question: are these sticky, like really sticky, can’t eat in the car or on the train sticky?

  • Pripop

    Wow Tracey, these look awesome I love all the component parts and it’s refreshing to have a low fat/ Healthy sweet that is not banana (as much as I love banana…). I love your glasses and straws too- what are those called as I would love to get some! I have found stripey straws on eBay but need (yes, need) those glasses!

  • Kristen

    Oooh, these look tasty! Hope you’re well 🙂

  • tejas

    I tried these and these are so yummy. Thanks for sharing this.

  • Lauren

    I am so going to try these. I have been buying these raw seed bars at star bucks after the gym…. These look much yummier- and cheaper! Did Coop like them- wondering if my kiddos would.

    • Tracy

      I tried giving him one this morning and he wouldn’t touch it. But that’s because he likes to be difficult. I know he’d love the taste if he would JUST TRY ONE. No doubt!

  • Marie

    I totally agree that there’s raw oatmeal cookie dough – then there’s the rest. These bars look absolutely perfect! I think I have everything I need in my pantry to make them today, can’t wait!

  • Robyn {Planet Byn}

    i’m so intrigued! i feel like these are homemade larabars.

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  • Christine

    These sound delicious, but I have a nut allergy, and I know just not adding the cashews would take out a lot of needed substance. Any substitute suggestions??

  • lulu

    i just made these this morning after finding a bag of cashews hidden deep inside my pantry… they were delicious! Exactly like cookie dough- minus the guilt. yay!

  • Lifestyle Bandit

    Love this recipe! Just made it this morn while I was waiting on my coffee. Love you and Joy the Baker’s podcast. Y’all are like best friends only in my head though. Thanks for sharing such a great find!

  • Mirakol S.

    I’ve been glaring at this recipe in my bookmarks tab for MONTHS in anguish because my food processor grew legs, walked out of my life forever for another woman (basically, I’m thinking someone stole it during moving). But thank God!! My grandmother and her awesomeness bought me one for Christmas because she didn’t appreciate the fact that mine was stol…I mean left me -____- lol! But I’m grateful and excited to try this recipe! However, I may sub 3 dates and a handful of raisins, honey or agave and a mixture of nuts, because I’m broke lol. But I’ll legitimize the recipe when I get more grocery monies 🙂 Thanks for posting and being awesome.

  • Prashna

    Made these today and my 4 year old daughter absolutely loves them! It’s a great recipe; thank you.

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  • Ann

    I just scoffed 2 squares of these down. Delicious and perfect for an occasional treat with coffee.

  • Krystal

    Thank you for this delicious recipe! I keep them in the freezer at work and they are a lifesaver when I’m still hungry after lunch. I spread a little almond butter on top and a sprinkling of salt, bliss!

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  • Kris

    These taste great but didn’t come anywhere near covering the bottom of my 8×8 pan. I moved it to a smaller pan and got about 4 Lara-sized bars. Next time I’d double the recipe. Love your recipe choices as always!

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