chocolate p-nut butter squares

I made these bad boys during a sweet-tooth craving and they certainly did the trick. They are a delicious snack with a base of oats, a layer of peanut butter, topped with chocolate. They give the feeling of a healthy/vegan Reece's Pieces...

Chocolate P-Nut Butter Squares

Oat Base:

1 cup oats

1/2 cup flour (kamut works well)

1 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

3 tbsp maple syrup

3 tbsp sunflower oil

Peanut Butter Center:

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup non-dairy milk (I prefer almond milk)

Chocolate Topping:

3/4 cup non dairy chocolate chips

1/3 cup non-dairy milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To prepare the oat base: combine dry ingredients, stir in maple syrup and oil, until well combined (consistency should be crumbly yet hold together when pressed). Transfer to a lightly oiled (or parchment paper) 8x8 inch pan and press evenly. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove and let cool.

While cooling, prepare the peanut butter center: in a saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients together. Stir occasionally until it becomes smooth and uniform, and thickens (do not boil). Pour mixture evenly over the oat base and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare the chocolate topping; in a small saucepan over low-medium heat, combine the chocolate chips and milk. Stir occasionally, until the chocolate and milk melt together and are smooth with no separation of the mixture. Remove from heat. Once the oat base has chilled, pour the chocolate topping evenly over top. Refrigerate again until completely cool and cut into squares.

Recipe by Dreena Burton from her awesome, family oriented cookbook Vive le Vegan. Check out her blog at http://vivelevegan.blogspot.ca/