Description
Soft, fudgy Healthy Cocoa Oat Dessert Squares made with wholesome rolled oats, rich cocoa, and natural sweeteners. One bowl, pantry friendly, and perfect for snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Rolled oats (old fashioned), 2 cups (180 g)
Unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/3 cup (30 g)
Maple syrup, 1/2 cup (120 ml)
Peanut butter (or almond butter), 1/2 cup (120 g)
Milk or unsweetened almond milk, warmed, 1/2 cup (120 ml)
Vanilla extract, 1 tsp (5 ml)
Baking powder, 1 tsp (4 g)
Fine salt, 1/4 tsp (1.5 g)
Optional: Dark chocolate chips, 1/4 cup (45 g)
Optional: Chopped walnuts or pecans, 1/4 cup (30 g)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm) pan with parchment, leaving overhang.
2. Warm the milk until just hot (not boiling). In a large bowl, whisk the cocoa into the warm milk until smooth and glossy.
3. Whisk in peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until fully combined.
4. Stir in oats and baking powder until evenly moistened and thick.
5. Press mixture firmly into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until edges are set and the center still has a slight soft give.
7. Cool in the pan 30 minutes, then lift out and cool completely before slicing into 12 squares.
Notes
For fudgier squares, do not overbake. Pull them when the center is just slightly soft.
Press the mixture very firmly in the pan for neat slices.
Nut free option: use sunflower seed butter.
Gluten free option: use certified gluten free oats.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 5 days, or freeze up to 3 months (wrap individually).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Healthy Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 6.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.1 g
- Fiber: 3.0 g
- Protein: 5.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg