Paleo Chocolate-Nut Bars

This healthy-yet-decadent treat is inspired by a recipe from Elana’s Pantry, New York Times best-selling author Elana Amsterdam’s website. A no-bake dessert with five simple ingredients layered thick for a perfectly divine summer sweet: rich, dark chocolate; wholesome dry-roasted nuts; raw cacao nibs; toasted coconut shavings; and Neat Nick Preserves Strawberry Cherry Jam.

Completely paleo, this recipe is as clean as desserts can get, with no grains and no added junk; the only added sweetness comes from homemade jam (and the dark chocolate chips). The original recipe calls for raspberry jam, but we opted for Strawberry-Cherry Jam, since it’s the peak of strawberry season here in Maryland and Neat Nick Preserves uses the freshest, in-season fruit from local farms.

Blending the sweet, fresh jam with the roasted nuts forms a nice, thick base for these bars, which are then enrobed with luscious dark chocolate. Instead of using just almonds in the base, we used a combination of almonds, cashews, and walnuts, as each nut lends a unique texture and flavor. A crunchy sprinkling of toasted coconut shavings and raw cacao nibs over the chocolate before it sets, then it’s into the refrigerator to chill before being cut up into bite-sized pieces and devoured with chocolate-smudged fingers.

All you need is a glass baking dish, a spatula, a food processor, a stove-top safe bowl, and a stove-top or microwave to melt the chocolate, and you’re only minutes away from this tasty treat!

…okay, well a few hours if you count the time to chill the bars so the chocolate sets!

Paleo Chocolate-Nut Bars

1 cup dry-roasted almonds
1 cup dry-roasted cashews
1 cup dry-roasted walnuts
½ cup Neat Nick Preserves Strawberry-Cherry Jam
12 oz. dark chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. raw cacao nibs
1/3 cup unsweetened toasted coconut

In the bowl of a food processor, blend the nuts and jam. Pulse until a smooth paste forms.

Spread out into an even layer in a glass baking dish.

Set aside to chill in the fridge while you prepare the chocolate.

Gently melt the chocolate over a stove in a pot or double-boiler, being careful not to over-heat the chocolate. You can also melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring it every 30-60 second to ensure the chocolate does not over-heat.

Once the chocolate is melted, remove it from the heat and pour into an even layer over the nut-jam base.

Scatter the cacao nibs and toasted coconut on top of the chocolate and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.

Cut into squares and chill once more before serving.

For more great Neat Nick Preserves recipes, visit the Recipes page on our website. Enjoy!

Recipe created by NoodlesKnows blog author and fitness coach Mandy Kaewsowatana.