Chocolate Oatmeal Fudge Slice
Oatmeal fudge bars have been a favorite potluck recipe for generations. However, just because they contain oatmeal does not make the standard version of these treats a healthy choice.Many classic oatmeal fudge bar recipes, including copycat recipes you can find online for the famous Starbucks oatmeal fudge bars, contain a shocking amount of butter and sugar even by traditional dessert standards.Think one and a half cups of butter, two cups of flour, and an entire two cups of sugar, not to mention all the sugar from two cups chocolate chips and a can of sweetened condensed milk.If any recipe were screaming for a healthy makeover and to be ‘healthified’ the traditional chocolate oatmeal fudge bar would be it.So here we have it, a healthy, super easy Oatmeal Fudge Slice recipe! It’s the perfect breakfast or midday treat to satisfy your sweet tooth - totally guilt-free.Best of all, these scrummy squares of rich chocolate and comforting oats are super easy to make and don’t require any baking whatsoever. All you need are eight simple ingredients, two bowls, and a big appetite!In the first bite, you are instantly hit with the intense dark chocolate flavor from the fudge filling. Then, you get the heartiness from the oats, crunch from the walnuts, and slight sweetness from the honey.This is yet another recipe of mine that features tahini. I just can’t get enough of the stuff. I loved it way before it ever became cool and trendy on social media. I literally grew up eating it in desserts, condiments, but more often for breakfast. It’s such a versatile and nutritious ingredient. You can expect to see a lot more tahini recipes from me in the future because I will never grow bored of it nor will I stop experimenting and creating new recipes with it! The little sesame seeds that tahini is made from are certainly not small fry when it comes to packing a nutritional punch.Tahini (aka liquid gold) is made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds. It's smooth, nutty and rich, with a slightly bitter finish and a mouthfeel similar to almond or peanut butter.Tahini contains all the essential amino acids, making it a high quality protein, plus it is rich in lecithin, vitamin E and calcium. It is easily digestible because its high alkaline mineral content and because of its non-acid nature, tahini is an ideal protein source for people with weak digestive systems, invalids and young children, and is an excellent source of quick energy for active people and athletes.This recipe is pretty basic and only calls for a handful of ingredients. All you need it two bowls – one for the oat mixture and another for the chocolate tahini centre. It’s literally a case of mixing stuff in a bowl and refrigerating it to set. It’s a real fail proof recipe that anyone can make. Even those with zero cooking and/or dessert making experience. It’s also a fun one to get the kids involved with. Unlike your typical Oatmeal Fudge Bars recipe, this is made entirely without the white sugar, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and butter! So go ahead, have another slice.
Servings 16
Ingredients
Base Crust
- 2 1/2 cups oats, instant or quick
- 1 cup walnut pieces
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup tahini, well stirred (or any nut butter)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fudge Layer
- 3 cups chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup coconut milk or cream
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.In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, melted coconut oil, honey, tahini and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combinedFold in the walnuts pieces. Reserve 1⅓ cups of the mixture into a small bowl. Scoop out the remaining base mixture into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.
Fudge Layer
- In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl 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.Once melted, whisk in the coconut milk. Mixture should thicken and turn into a smooth ganache. Spread the mixture over the base and spreadout evenly and smoothly.Finally, sprinkle the remaining oat crumbles on top of the chocolate layer, and press down firmly with a fork or spoon.Refrigerate or freeze the slice until firm enough to cut into 16 (or more smaller) squares.
If 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