No Bake Date Squares (5 ingredients! Vegan and GF!)

Hi Tartlets!  I promised you an easy recipe after the super-involved Raw Lasagna.  I hope you're ready for some sweetness!  This recipe is easy - all you need is a food processor or blender.  

Prep time = 30 minutes. BUT - if you pre-chop your dates the day before, assembly literally takes 10 minutes, tops.  Chopping the dates is the time-consuming part.  Also save time by getting pitted dates - totally worth it.  Trust me.  Pitting them is no fun!

This is easy to make Gluten-free using GF Oats.  

I give this 5 stars!

★★★★★

Ingredients:

Crust

• 1.5 cups whole raw almonds
• 1.5 cups regular or Gluten-free oats
• 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt
• 10 Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup coconut oil

Date Filling

• 2.5 cups Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped (~25 dates)
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Line an 8"x8" pan with parchment paper. In food processor, process the almonds, oats and salt until a crumble forms.  Add the 10 chopped dates and process until crumbly again.

2. Melt the coconut oil and add to the mixture.  Process until sticky.  Remove from processor, set 3/4 cup of the mixture aside.  Press the remaining almond/oat mixture firmly into pan.

3. Process the 2.5 cups chopped dates and water in food processor until a paste forms.  Scrape sides of bowl as necessary.  Spread date mixture evenly onto crust with a spatula, or wet your hands.

4. Sprinkle the reserved 3/4 cup of almond/oat mixture over the date paste and gently press down with fingers. Refrigerate until firm (at least 1 hour).  Cut into squares and serve. Store in the fridge or freezer.

5. Try to eat just one!

NOTE: Sometimes Medjool dates are unavailable or very expensive.  I've purchased different varieties that are smaller and more economically priced.  I approximate 2 small dates for every 1 Medjool date.  Medjool dates are huge!