I hope you like almonds because these (sugar-free, no-added fat) almond-date squares contain three forms of them. Almond meal from grinding the nuts, almond extract, and sliced almonds. It’s a party in your mouth, if you ask me.
P.S. You can experiment with this recipe by substituting the raw almonds with other nuts. I made another delicious version using one cup of raw walnuts, cocoa powder instead of coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and a mixture of melted carob & dark chocolate drizzled on top once it came out of the oven. Delightful! Hazelnuts would work nicely too, don’t you think?
P.P.S. More wholesome baked goods.
Almond-Date Squares
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup fresh dates, packed
- 1 cup brown rice flour
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
In a food processor, add the raw almonds, brown rice flour and dates. Process until you get a coarse mixture. Add the coconut flakes, eggs and almond extract and process until smooth. Left to right, top to bottom, it should go like this:
Press mixture into a medium-sized baking dish.
Sprinkle the dish with the sliced almonds. Press gently on the almonds so they adhere to the surface.
Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-15 minutes. Switch oven to broil for the last minute of baking so that the almonds get golden.
Cut into 24 squares. Indulge, guilt-free!
Recipe adapted from Vicki Chelf Hudon.