It’s officially Spring! Hopefully it is starting to warm up where you are, or it will be soon; in the meantime, you can enjoy this yummy spring dessert – Paleo Vegan Apricot Bars. These bars are the perfect not-too-sweet, gooey treat for you and your family to enjoy. As well, they are made with Coconut Sugar instead of refined sugars, Almond Flour instead of regular flour, and Coconut Oil instead of the partially hydrogenated junk usually used in baking.
Benefits of Apricots
Apricots have great health benefits due to their high amounts of vitamins, flavonoids, and potassium. Some of the vitamins include Vitamin E and Vitamin C, which are great for your skin. Additionally, the flavonoids in apricots help to reduce inflammation and strengthen blood vessels. Potassium is an important mineral for nerve and muscle function, and is also crucial for helping nutrients move around the body. Lastly, apricots are a good source of fiber – which helps maintain healthy gut bacteria levels. Read more about the amazing benefits of apricots here on WebMD.
Apricot Bars (paleo/vegan)
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups Almond Flour or Almond Meal
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp Water
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups Dried Apricots
- 3 cups Boiling Water
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Real Maple Syrup
Crumb Topping:
- 3/4 cup Walnuts
- 1/3 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Coconut Sugar
- 1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Begin by making your filling. Set aside dried apricots in a medium sized bowl. Boil 3 cups water, and pour over dried apricots. Let sit for about 20 minutes. Now drain the water, and add apricots to your food processor or blender. Add in lemon juice, and maple syrup. Pulse until mostly smooth, a few chunks are fine. You may need to add a bit of water to get the right consistency, but the filling should be thick.
- Now make the crust: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. Combine all of the crust ingredients into a food processor and pulse until mixture is crumbly. Take mixture and carefully distribute over the parchment paper, pressing down firmly and evenly. Place inside the oven and bake for 13 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes. Leave the oven hot.
- While crust is cooling, make the crumb mixture. Combine all ingredients into your food processor and pulse for about 10 seconds, or until mixture is crumbly.
- Once crust is cooled, spread the apricot filling over the crust. Complete by topping with the crumb mixture. Now bake for 15-18 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool completely. Once cooled, slice into squares.
Notes
I hope you enjoy these Paleo Vegan Apricot Bars and the great health benefits of the apricots! If you want more healthy dessert options, check out these previous dessert recipes here: Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, Hazelnut Brownie, SunButter Cookies, Paleo Truffles, Dark Chocolate Walnut Date Bar.
Stay Updated on your Socials:
Google 5.0
