Summer Fridays! Raw "Nutella" Bars | dolly and oatmeal #vegan

i'm trying not to talk too much about pregnant life, but it's hard not to when every facet of my days has been significantly altered, and my thoughts about the future are shifting as well. i'm 30 weeks tomorrow and have acquired a subtle waddle, back aches like whoa, what feels like complete memory loss, and an affinity for naps (which i've never been a huge fan of). but i wanted to start this summer fridays series because among all those things i just listed, there are so many quick snacks and hacks i've been coming up with in a pinch that i wanted to share. if i thought the effects of my blood sugar dropping before pregnancy was bad, this new urgency to eat something before i feel like i'm going to pass out or strangle someone is soooo real. but i also thought that everyone could benefit from having some good-for-you food/beverage quickie recipes like this açaí bowl, these fizzy crushed raspberry drinks, or these here snack bars!

i've always tended to stay away from supermarket snack bars with weird ingredients, so i usually stick to my basics which include a variety of chocolate-y, nutty lara bars, but i'm constantly searching for a chocolate-hazelnut flavor with no such luck. then i thought: bars like these are easily made, so i can totally make an at-home version. i love these "nutella" bars for so many reasons, but mostly, mostly because they remind me exactly of a really good store-bought bar. they have a similar consistency and texture, and they're great on their own, but i decided to throw a little raw-ish chocolate shell over these babes, because, why not!? there's something so satisfying about making homemade snacks - i hope you feel the same and perhaps give them a try :)

xo!

raw "nutella" bars | gf & v

these bars can be made with whatever nut you like, or you could use a mixture of nuts. i think a maybe a peanut butter-pecan mix might be really good here, but the options are limitless.

| makes 8 bars |

1 1/2 cups raw hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups soft pitted dates (if dates are hard or tough, soak in warm water for 30 minutes)
3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
1-3 teaspoons filtered water
pinch of fine sea salt

toppings (optional):

raw-ish chocolate sauce
chopped hazelnuts

method

line an 8x8" square pan with parchment or foil and set aside.
add hazelnuts to a food processor fitted with a metal "s" blade and pulse until a course meal forms.
add the dates, cacao powder, 1 teaspoon water, and salt. pulse a few times, stop the motor and use your fingers to pinch the mixture. if the mixture is crumbly add more water 1 teaspoon at a time until you have a mixture that sticks together.
press the mixture evenly into your prepared pan and freeze for 25 minutes. using a sharp knife, slice into 8 bars. drizzle with chocolate sauce and chopped hazelnuts (optional), and store in an airtight container in the fridge. bars will stay good for up to 1 week.

enjoy!