Whether it’s because I’m getting older or getting healthier, my body no longer handles sugar well. This is a great problem to have, obviously. I’m really quite grateful, as I used to eat wayyyyyyyy too much sugar. But what is a chocolate lover to do when she has a chocolate craving? Suck on a bar of unsweetened chocolate? Mmmm, no.
Chocolate Whipped Cream on Strawberries to the rescue. Also, last week I played with my Chewy Granola Bars recipe. I used to make them with chocolate chips – but that obviously adds extra sugar. This time, I came up with a dark chocolate variety that is only lightly sweet, super coconuty, and oh so chocolaty rich.
Coconut Fudge Bars
- ½ cup peanut butter or sunbutter
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil (or another oil of your choice)
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1½ cup rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- In a medium sized saucepan, melt together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and cocoa.
- Remove from heat and stir in oats and coconut flakes.
- Spread mixture into a 9x9 inch pan.
- Chill for 2 hours before serving.
- Makes 8-16 bars, depending on how big/small you cut them.
These store best in the fridge, otherwise they are melty and will get chocolate all over your hands and face. If this is not a problem for you, by all means, store them on the countertop. If you want to pack these in a lunch, I recommend wrapping them individually, freezing them, and sending a spoon or fork along to make them less messy for the consumer. If having chocolate all over your child’s hands and face at school is not a problem for you, by all means, send them without a utensil.
These are super rich and only barely sweet. Feel free to add more honey if you prefer.
Sound yummy, but what I really love about this post is your humor!! Oh how I love to read your posts!!!
Laura, Have I told your granola bars taste just like chic-o sticks. Coconut and peanut butter together is so very good. Your original recipe is one of my faves, not only because of taste, but what busy parent/ cook doesn’t love a no-bake granola bar? And now you’ve gone and added chocolate, and more coconut to the mix, sounds extra yummy. Our favorite baked granola bar always had a dose of shredded coconut and chocolate chips mixed in, now I can make a bar that doesn’t need baking? Thank you Laura for giving my oven a break!
Wow, those look yummy! Yes, I’ve come around to dark chocolate as I’ve gotten older – maybe it’s an acquired taste?
These look delicious! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! I can hardly wait to try it out! You are a blessing to many families.
Have a blessed & wonderful day! :o)
Thanks, Laura! I was just having a sweetie attack after lunch, looked at my emails and saw this recipe. I am trying this as soon as I get the lunch dishes washed! I have always loved dark chocolate and this looks yummy.
Can’t wait to try these! My trick with c chips is to just sprinkle a few on top of the g bars and smash them down just a little bit. My kids think they’re full of chocolate chips when really there’s just a few on top!
Yes! Most brands. :)
Yes, I am a dark chocolate fan and a coconut fan. These look so good. Thanks for the recipe. I’m pinning it now.
Yes, totally a dark chocolate lover!! Ever since my first trimester of my second pregnancy… Never have gone back. Don’t even like to waste my time (and calories) on the milk chocolate stuff!! :-)
I wonder what a body would do if one doesn’t care for coconut flakes? I use refined coconut oil, so no taste added there. I do use a small amount of flaked-coconut (not sweetened) in my granola cereal (mostly your recipe, Laura) but overall I don’t care for coconut taste… Should I just add more oats?
Try these instead…same concept, but without the coconut. Just add the cocoa powder if you want chocolate. :)
https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-chewy-granola-bars-without-corn-syrup
We haven’t done a cooking day in a long time. I’m getting ready for a cooking day tomorrow and we’re making these!
My girls and I made these today….they’re AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!! :)
We made these today and subbed almond butter in place of the peanut butter. So good. love these flavors together, chocolate, almond and coconut.
These coconut fudge bars look beautiful….but I may have to substitute something else in place of the chocolate since I have to limit my caffeine…..unless you can find caffeine free chocolate (I have some white chocolate I probably will use, but I like the color of real chocolate….does anyone know if you can buy caffeine free brown chocolate ? To me the white chocolate just doesn’t taste like the chocolate I am used to…….will appreciate anyone’s help re: this…..Thanks, kentucklady 717 :)
So glad I’m back to getting your emails Laura…..thanks….
I just made this and it’s great! I increase oats and decreased coconut by 1/2 a cup and used maple syrup instead of honey. It’s really hot right now where I live so I didn’t have to warm the ingredients on the stove. I just mixed it all together, and we are eating it like cookie dough instead of making bars. So yummy!
These are chilling in the freezer now (so we can eat them as fast as possible)! I licked the pot and spatula clean, YUM. My oven is currently out of commission so I’m delighted to find another no-bake recipe!
I usually make oatmeal with peanut butter, coconut oil, sweetener, and sometimes some cocoa, so this is basically that in bar form (I might even add shredded coconut to the oatmeal next time). My kids will be thrilled, thank you! :D