Cashew Strawberry Coconut Bars

These delightful no bake bars are bursting with bright fruity flavour, the creamy richness of cashews and coconut and are packed full of energy boosting ingredients.

The bottom cashew coconut layer is a smooth, soft, crumbly, shortbread-like crust that melts-in-your-mouth. The middle layer is strawberry compote. Changing up the berries would be great too; raspberries, blueberries, or cherries make tasty substitutes. Finally, the bars are topped with melted chocolate.

The combination of coconut, cashews, berries and chocolate is historically tried and tested and will never let us down! This is a match made in heaven and joining these four superfoods in the same recipe is always pretty much a guarantee of success.

Whatever the consistency, or however they are used, each of these ingredients has always been a hit, but this bars recipe takes morishness to a whole new level!

You too can prepare these delicious bars: they are so simple to make, the perfect addition to any birthday buffet or if you wish to give a gift to someone this recipe is ideal, simply cut into smaller squares and place in a cellophane bag tied with a nice bow!

This recipe is great for a party or family gatherings too. We all love “bar” style desserts for hosting in general, just prep and slice in advance for the easiest serving!Whatever occasion you make them for, I promise you they will get gobbled up.

It only takes a few minutes to put them together and they hit all the craving notes, sweet, a little salty, crunchy and chewy.

This recipe is the perfect treat if you love coconut like I do too.  I’m obsessed with coconuts, they are my favorite ingredient in desserts and healthy snacks.

The world is going coconuts. Following the popularity of coconut water, a broad spectrum of foods derived from the humble coconut is available. It now comes in a variety of forms from water to milk, cream, sugar, butter, oil, flour and shredded allowing for a variety of creative ways to add coconut to a healthy diet.

Coconut contains a unique type of medium chain saturated fat called lauric acid that research shows raises HDL or "good" cholesterol levels, which lowers overall heart disease risk.

As a plant food, coconuts also contain disease-fighting phytochemicals or antioxidants. Research suggests that coconut products helps boost metabolism which is helpful if excess body fat needs to be lost.

Just one scoop of coconut oil delivers a wide-range of healing properties. Produced in its most natural state, coconut oil will benefit you, your children and your pets. I put some into my dogs dinner regularly.

Whether you have chronic fatigue, weight problems, digestive or skin issues, or just want to give your body a good cleanse and boost your energy, coconut in any of its forms is so good for you.

The trick of a good energy bar recipe which you will make again and again is the simplicity.You need the recipe to be just as easy as going to the store and buying a ready-made pack.

After all the whole point of energy bars is a quick and easy boost when you're flagging during the day. If your recipe is complicated then you have got your first healthy hurdle right there.

That's why these Cashew Strawberry Coconut Bars are so perfect. They are the easiest assembly job of a recipe you can imagine. It’s a measure out of the ingredients, throw everything into the food processor, press into a baking tin, chill and cut type of affair.Completely no-bake and low-effort.

What’s not to like?

 

Course Dessert, Snack

Keyword cashew strawberry coconut bars, clean eating dessert or snack, healthy coconut bars, no bake cashew strawberry coconut bars

Servings 8

Ingredients

Base Crust

• 1 cup cashews, soaked 3+hours and drained
• 1 1/2 cups desiccated coconut
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Strawberry Layer

• 2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Chocolate Topping

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• handful of desiccated coconut to sprinkle of top

Instructions

Base Crust

• Line an 8 x 8” baking pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.

  Place cashews and coconut into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly. Add coconut oil, honey and vanilla extra and continue to process until mixture is sticky and well combined.

  Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture and different sized “bits” in your base crust.

  Press the base mixture into the bottom of your pan or dish evenly. Refrigerate while you prepare the strawberry layer.

Strawberry Layer

• In a small saucepan on medium heat, add the strawberries and honey.

  Stir and mash the berries a little allowing the strawberries to soften and break down, about 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens.

  Remove from the heat and place in freezer or fridge while you melt the chocolate topping.

   

Chocolate Topping

• Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave at 50% power with 30 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.

  Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.

  Remove the pan from the freezer and spread the strawberry compote over the cashew, coconut layer (it’s fine if it is still warm), then top with the melted chocolate, spreading out the chocolate with a spatula or back of a spoon to completely cover the strawberry layer.

  Sprinkle the top with shredded coconut.

  Place back in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or until completely set. Remove from the pan and cut into 8 bars or more smaller squares to serve.

Print Recipe

IUf you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites