No-Bake Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars-Gluten Free

What goes fabulous with chocolate? Peanut butter…cherries…orange…and ESPECIALLY mint. I used to love eating those girl scout thin mint cookies, but after doing some research, they are so unhealthy! They are full of artificial ingredients, oils, preservatives and not vegan. Not trying to knock the good girl scouts, because I believe everything in moderation, but my blog is about healthier options. If you could get a delicious and much more nutritious dessert, than a traditional one, wouldn’t you want it? My vegan no-bake mint chocolate chip cookie bars taste so much like a thin mint, I’ll never crave them again! As opposed to the numerous ingredients in their cookies, my cookie bars have only 7.

So, this cookie bar is my take on those same flavors. While it’s not a “thin mint” exactly…it’s bigger and better than one…according to my husband anyway. These are so sweet and yummy, you’ll forget all about those thin mints! These reminded me so much of the thin mint cookie because of their flavor, sweetness and crunch, I had to name them accordingly. Also, no need to bake them! Go make these NOW and after chilling them, tell me they don’t taste just like a thin mint!! I used to store my thin mints in the fridge because they were so good that way.

Recipe: Makes 6 large bars  Prep time: 10 mins  Chill time: 30 mins 

Gluten free (Make sure all ingredients are labeled to be in a gluten free facility if you’re gluten sensitive, in case of cross contamination)

Ingredients:

2 cups organic gluten free koala crisp cereal or your favorite rice cereal

1/4 cup almond butter (a heart healthy fat, I grind my own right at the store-no additives!)

1/2 cup raw amber agave (make sure to get the amber one, richer flavor)

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa (Hershey’s Special Dark-see link for gluten free info)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use gluten free if necessary)

1/4 teaspoon mint extract

1/4 cup gluten free mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life brand)

Tip:  To serve these at a party, just double or triple the recipe

Directions:

Line a loaf pan (5X9) with parchment paper with it hanging over the sides for easy removal. In a large bowl, combine the cocoa crisps and chocolate chips. In a small saucepan over low heat, add the almond butter, agave and cocoa. Stir and heat just until the almond butter has melted and mixed well with the other ingredients, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and mint extracts.

Now, pour the heated mixture over the dry ingredients and stir quickly because it will start to harden. This will semi-melt the chocolate chips causing the chocolate to ooze more into the bars…..mmmmmmm! Press mixture down flat and hard into the pan with the back of a spoon, spread out evenly. It will be sticky, so if you put a small piece of parchment paper underneath the back of your spoon while pressing, it’s much easier. Chill in the fridge at least 30 minutes and slice with a sharp knife into bars. Keep them stored in the fridge. Enjoy the chocolate mint heaven! Sooo easy!

Nutrition:  227.6 calories/ 9.65 g fat/ 36.87 carbs/ 2.73 g protein  Based on 6 large bars. These are really sweet and large, (the equivalent of 2 cookies), so feel free to cut them smaller and then adjust the nutrition stats accordingly.

Now, don’t wait any longer…go make these now…they are TOO easy not to!