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4.9 from 24 votes

Gingersnap Chocolate Paleo Magic Cookie Bars

These vegan, gluten free Gingersnap Chocolate Paleo Magic Cookie Bars have spicy-sweet, cozy festive flavor and are easy to make! Perfect for the holidays!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 16 Bars
Calories: 149 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the topping:
  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk 14 ounces
  • 1/4 cup honey or agave for vegan
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the bars:
  • 2/3 cup pecans
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil at room temperature (should be like softened butter)
  • 3 tablespoons honey or agave
  • 3/4 cup coconut flour sifted (66 grams) *
  • 1/2 tablespoon instant coffee
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup enjoy life foods mini chocolate chips

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees and place the pecans onto a small baking sheet.  Cook until golden brown and toasted, about 8-10 minutes.  Roughly chop and set aside.
  2. In a large pot, set over high heat, whisk together all of the "topping" ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Then, turn the heat down to medium and and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce reduced by about half.
  3. Transfer the sauce to a large measuring cup to cool while you make the crust. Note: You should have about 1 1/4 cups of sauce left after cooking it. ** READ NOTES. Make sure to stir occasionally as it cools.
  4. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang up the sides to use as a handle when you de-pan the bars. Note: It helps to spray the bottom of the pan with spray before putting in the parchment paper, to secure it.
  5. In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the coconut oil and honey until smooth and creamy. Stir in the flour, coffee and pinch of salt until a wet dough forms.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. This will be a little bit tough, just be patient with it. I found it easiest to use the palms of my hands, and rinse them off every so often, until the dough was pressed in.
  7. Bake the crust just until lightly golden brown, about 7-8 mins. 
  8. As soon as the crust comes out of the often***, sprinkle the chopped nuts on top, and lightly press them into the crust. Then, sprinkle on the chocolate chips.
  9. Pour the slightly cooled coconut milk mixture EVENLY over the top of the surface. Then, gently shake the pan around until the coconut milk mixture begins to sink between the layers.
  10. Place into the oven and bake until the sides are lightly golden brown, about 27-28 minutes.
  11. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature. Then, cover with tinfoil and refrigerate overnight. ****
  12. The next day,  run a sharp knife around the edges of the pan, and pull the bars out with the parchment paper handles. 
  13. Slice into bars and DEVOUR

Notes

  • *As with all GF baking, please weigh your flour to ensure accurate results.
  • ** You want to make sure you don't overcook or undercook, so I recommend cooking for 10 minutes, measuring the sauce and then adding pack into the pan and cooking just a few minutes, continuing to check, until you have 1 1/4 cups. Cooking times will vary based on the size of your pot.
  • *** If your crust rises in spots, QUICKLY use a small spoon (or your fingers if you're a daredevil like me) to press it back down flat before sprinkling on the nuts.
  • **** You NEED to let these sit overnight to make sure the coconut milk really has a chance to chill and thicken.

Nutrition Information

Calories 149kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 18g (6%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 0.4mg (0%) Sodium 16mg (1%) Potassium 108mg (3%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 9IU (0%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 19mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16Bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 149

% Daily Value*

Calories 149kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.01g 1%
Cholesterol 0.4mg 0%
Sodium 16mg 1%
Potassium 108mg 2%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 9IU 0%
Vitamin C 0.1mg 0%
Calcium 19mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.