We really loved these spicy treats: they are simple to make and packed with flavor. Somehow the addition of chili in sweet things makes them more satisfying, and a smaller bite is needed to satisfy my sweet tooth – the advantage being that one batch lasts longer. And these treats actually even improved in the fridge!
There’s only enough batter there to keep things together, letting all the nutty goodness really shine. We munched on these from the fridge for more than a week and the flavors just kept on getting better. I used a cayenne-flavored dark chocolate for the topping, but regular would be fine – maybe sprinkled with a bit of extra cayenne for more spicy kick. I also used whole cane sugar and agave as sweeteners, but to simplify things I’m sure using just one or the other would work as well.
Here’s what I used:
- 2 and 1/2 dl assorted nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and almonds)
- 1 dl raw coconut flakes
- 1/2 dl chick pea flour (gram or besan)
- 1/2 dl whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 dl coconut oil in room temperature
- 1/2 dl whole cane sugar
- 2 and 1/2 tablespoons agave syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy yoghurt
- 60 grams (cayenne-flavored) dark chocolate, chopped
First, I preheated the oven to 175 degrees Celsius, covered my baking dish with parchment paper, and sprayed it with a bit of olive oil. I also chopped the nuts and the chocolate – the nuts quite coarsely, dividing them only in 2-3 pieces each.
To make the batter, I mixed the dry ingredients except nuts and coconut flakes (chickpea flour through cayenne) in one bowl, and the wet ingredients (coconut oil through soy yogurt) in another. Now I poured the dry into wet and stirred with a fork just enough to mix. Then I poured nuts and coconut flakes in the batter bowl and stirred until they were evenly coated with the batter. There should be just enough batter to coat.
Now I spread the mixture in the baking dish and baked the squares for 15 minutes, until nicely browned. I turned down the heat in the oven, sprinkled the chocolate evenly over the nutty layer, and then placed the baking dish back in the oven for 1 minute to melt the chocolate. I removed the dish from the oven and spread the chocolate evenly with a butter knife, then let the whole thing come to room temperature, and refrigerated for a few hours before cutting into small squares with a sharp, unserrated knife.
11 Comments
Wow! These look great! I love spicy snacks too!
I wonder if these delicious looking squares would last that long in my fridge. Chocolate and nuts are the perfect combination for a sweet treat, imo.
We use cayenne all of the time and I am thrilled to see a sweet way to use it. Thanks so much, we will try this soon!
Yummy yummy! Herkulliselta näyttävät ja kuulostavat!
Those look so yummy! Maybe I’ll try a hazelnut version – we have lots of local hazelnuts here, and I’m going to the market to get some tomorrow.
wow those look incredible!! i am in love with the chocolate-cinnamon-cayenne combination…i have made cookies and brownies with it several times. but these bars look so much better! can’t wait to try them! thanks!!!!
So tasty! Also, love your top photo of your red and white kitchen bits. Nice!
Oh wow, those sound awesome!
Wow! These look so yummy! Chickpea flour, what a great idea!
These look great! I know my spice-loving boyfriend will adore them!
yep, I am for sure 100% making these for a camping trip. With so much nuts they’d be good for that, right, and not just an excuse to eat spicy chocolate. Right? :D
SO delicious looking!