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Yesterday I was all “Let’s Bake”! Today I am all “Let’s not, but act like we did!”.
Jeez, I am so up and down and all over the place these days. I think I just really like to keep things new and fresh around here.
Either that or those darn chickens are really starting to mess with my head. I’m sure you’ve all heard a story or two before about a crazy “cat lady”. Well, I am slightly concerned that I am turning into the crazy “chicken lady”.
I am actually really enjoying our little chickens. Taking care of them is kind of fun and I think it is so cool that we are going to get our own eggs from chickens raised right in our own backyard. It’s a good feeling for sure.
The other day I was so set on skipping a recipe post for just one day and telling you all about the chickens. For some reason I just really, really wanted to talk about them. Of course it was also an excuse to head outside (yeah!) and take an obnoxious amount of pictures. But then it started pouring and I “chickened” out and told myself, no one wants to hear about a bunch of chickens.
Thus, I presented to you these fajitas instead. Maybe one day, if it ever doesn’t rain in the afternoon, I will take some photos, but as of right now, Colorado seems to be calling for rain every afternoon. I am highly disliking it.
It’s such typical mountain weather. Sun in the morning and wicked storms in the afternoon. It actually got so dark the other day I couldn’t even finish taking photos because it went from day to-night in a matter of minutes. And then maybe thirty minutes later the clouds passed and it was sunny again.
Like full on sunshine – crazy, and a little annoying, oh well.
But it’s Friday and we have some cookie bars we need to talk about – and quick, because like I said, it’s Friday and I have a feeling our attention spans are shot from the week.
You may even be looking for a little booze to kick off your weekend, so lets just going already.
I am not sure if you remember, but last summer I posted this recipe for a healthier version of my mom’s oatmeal cookie bar recipe. It’s one of those recipes that I honestly make all the time, my mom makes all the time, and you guys tell me that you make all the time. It is just an awesome recipe.
I wanted to take those flavors and create and even easier, healthier, but just as delicious NO-BAKE oatmeal cookie bar. I wasn’t really sure I could do it. I mean, I’m certainly no “healthy baking” expert, but I used what I know and ingredients that I love and this is what I came up with.
Oh these bars. They taste so good. Just like my mom’s oatmeal cookie bars only a little chewier and a little less crumbly, but the flavor is spot on and the texture is awesome.
For sweetness I used dates. Just dates. Nothing else. Don’t be freaked. You’ll love these. Even if you don’t love dates. Promise.
I never knew what an amazing little ingredient dates were. For one they are incredibly healthy, full of fiber and super sweet. They work double time as the perfect binder and sweetener. The rest is pretty basic, roasted cashews are kind of my secret ingredient. They do have to be roasted though, so no swapping there. Their flavor is awesome and they grind up to a smooth paste perfectly.
Then of course there are oats… and quinoa for added health and texture, and plenty of dark chocolate. Plus sea salt because every cookie needs a little sea salt. It does. Really.
And the best part – these cookies require almost no time to make and they use simple ingredients that I really hope everyone has on hand.
Mega best part – these cookies taste like they should be a thousand and one calories, but they aren’t! They’re chuck full of good for you ingredients.
And they still taste like real oatmeal cookies!!!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
SO yes, I am so excited about these. Oatmeal Cookies + Chocolate Chunks and FRIDAY. What a great combo!
I would totally read (and enjoy) a post about your chickens. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
My boyfriend and I are the same way… but about dishes.
I’m all “lets do the dishes” then after dessert i’m all “let’s not, but act like we did).
I love the recipe! Can’t wait try!
Haha! Thanks Connie!
Tieghan, I would love to hear about your chickens. My grandmother used to raise chickens in her backyard. Me and my cousins always had to much fun when we were going to get the eggs. I wish I could raise chickens too. Maybe one day…
I love your recipe, especially because you added dates instead of refined sugar.
Have a great weekend 😉
Thanks Olivia!! I will take some photos then! 🙂
The recipe is awesome.
I have one question) Can the coconut milk be replaced by regular cow milk and coconut butter by peanut butter?
Hi! Thank you!
You can use regular milk, but swap butter for the coconut butter. Although it would best if you used coconut oil. Hope you love these!! 🙂
Thank you for answering! I think am definitely gonna make these!))
Hope you love them!
I am all about not baking especially in the summer months. These are a perfect treat!
Thanks so much, Rina!
I love everything in these little bars! I can’t wait to make them. Pinned!
THANKS!
Oh yes, I will be making these for sure – they look perfect!
Thank Kathy!
I’m so jealous of your little chickens. How cute! These bars look amazing. Honestly, who wants to bake in this heat?
Thanks Jennie!!
I love the concept of no bake! and I want a chicken update, so maybe you can reconsider that.
Haha! Will do. THANKS!
The rain in DC has also been out of control lately (like down pouring at 5 pm exactly every.single.day). I’ve been spending like 2 hours in the car getting home in traffic–hallelujah that will be over soon! 🙂
These bars look delicious! I could use more ‘no bake’ desserts in my life.
Oh man, rain is the WORST. Hope it has been a sunny weekend! Thanks Laura! 🙂
Yay for no-bake! Although I’d totally turn on the oven for yesterday’s deliciousness. The moment I saw the picture of the dates I was hooked. Date-sweetened desserts are the bomb 🙂
They are, they are! 🙂
Thank you!
These looks so good…I love that dates are the sugar and they are no bake. I prefer oatmeal and chocolate than the standard oatmeal and raisins and this is coming from a raisin lover but I think the oats taste better with chocolate. I’m definitely trying this.
Thanks so much!!
These looks SO delicious. I’m putting them on my to do list!
Thank you!
I am also looking for a quick snack for some energy right before I work out. My wife is going to have to make a bunch of these. I thought I always had to buy the store version these are healthier and I’m sure tastier!
Thanks! Hope you guys love them!
If I had to pick the most perfect looking square object, it would be these bars! I LOVE that these are no-bake because it’s 1 million degrees and my oven is death. Plus dates? Obsessed. Pinned!
Thank Taylor! Hoping you are enjoying your weekend! 🙂