VEGAN PECAN PIE BARS
Keep your energy levels up during the festive season with smart snacks! A good balance of healthy fats, protein and fibre will keep your energy and mood levels supported so you can thrive more during ‘silly season’.
Pecans are a delicious, nutrient-packed powerhouses that make for an ideal snacking ingredient. Pecans provide phytonutrients, plant-based compounds that have powerful antioxidant benefits. They're also a good source of the mineral zinc, crucial for immune-cell development and function. According to the USDA, pecans have more flavonoids — a type of antioxidant found mostly in veggies and fruit — than any other tree nut!
INGREDIENTS
For the crust:
1½ cups (170g) almond flour
3 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
3 tbsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. sea salt
For the filling:
⅓ cup (60g) coconut sugar
⅓ cup (80ml) maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1⅓ cups (160g) pecans, roughly chopped
Method…
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8x8 inch square baking pan with baking paper.
Add the almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt to a medium size bowl and mix until a crumb texture forms. Transfer to the pan and press the mixture down using the back of a spoon or your fingers.
Place the pan into the hot oven and bake for 6-7 minutes. Then remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack.
Add the coconut sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt to a small pot and place over a medium/low heat. Stir constantly until the mixture has melted. Add in the pecans and continue to cook for a further 30 seconds, then immediately pour the mixture over the earlier baked base.
Spread evenly over the top of the base and place the pan back into the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside on a wire rack to cool completely before placing in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set.
When ready to enjoy, remove from the refrigerator and rest for 10 minutes before cutting into 16 equal sized bars and serving.
