Warning: May Cause Swooning – These Chocolate Maple Peanut Butter Bars Are No Joke
Albert Wood
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You know those desserts that walk into the room like they own it? The ones that whisper “I’m rich, gooey, and you’re gonna need a moment”? Yeah. These bars are that dessert.
Introducing: Chocolate Maple Peanut Butter Caramel Bars — a triple-layered fantasy of chocolatey shortbread, maple peanut butter caramel, and a glossy ganache-like topping. Think Reese’s meets your favorite health-conscious food blogger in a Vermont maple forest. (Yes, that’s a vibe.)
At the heart of it all? Wood’s Vermont Pure Maple Syrup—a naturally sweet, mineral-rich alternative to refined sugar that adds depth, warmth, and pure, delicious flavor to every bite.
What Makes These Bars Bar-none
The Base: Made with blanched almond flour and cocoa powder for a tender, gluten-free foundation. It’s nutty, fudgy, and gives "brownie energy" without all the sugar.
The Caramel Layer: A natural caramel-like filling crafted from peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Roasted peanuts offer the perfect crunch while sea salt adds just enough sass to cut the sweetness.
The Topping: Melted chocolate chips with a touch of coconut oil form a silky-smooth cap that solidifies into rich ganache heaven. Use vegan chocolate chips to keep it dairy-free.
Healthier? You Bet Your Bars
These aren’t your average sugar-laden squares. They’re refined-sugar free, gluten-free, and can be made vegan depending on your chocolate choice. Thanks to the combo of healthy fats from nuts and coconut oil and the low glycemic index of maple syrup, they offer more than just flavor—they offer feel-good nourishment.
Here’s why maple syrup earns its superfood street cred: it contains antioxidants, zinc, and manganese, supporting your immune system while giving your tastebuds a bear hug.
Plus, almond flour is rich in Vitamin E and magnesium, and coconut oil may support metabolism and brain function. (Source: Healthline on Coconut Oil)
Storage + Serving Tips
✅ Store in the fridge for up to a week
✅ Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months
✅ Let bars sit at room temp for 10 mins before eating for optimal fudgy softness
Pro tip: These bars are high in “sneak one after midnight” potential. You’ve been warned.
These aren’t just dessert bars—they’re declarations of snack sovereignty. They whisper sweet nothings and shout flavor fireworks. So go ahead, make the bars. Your fridge will thank you.
Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) square pan with parchment paper. This size is crucial, as a larger pan might be too big.
In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt.
Mix with a fork until you get a thick, crumbly texture. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared pan using your fingers.
Bake for about 10 minutes. Let the crust cool for about 10 minutes before adding caramel. After baking, sprinkle peanuts evenly over the crust.
While the crust bakes, prepare the peanut butter caramel layer:
In a medium pot over medium-low heat, combine peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Stir frequently for about 2 minutes until the mixture just starts to bubble slightly.
Remove from heat. Pour the caramel over the peanuts and slightly cool crust.
Place in the fridge for 30-45 minutes to harden. If you're in a hurry, put it in the freezer for 20 minutes to speed up the process.
After 30 minutes, prepare the chocolate layer:
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until completely melted. Alternatively, melt them in a small saucepan over low heat.
Pour the melted chocolate over the caramel layer, tilting the pan to spread it evenly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until the chocolate hardens and the bars are completely cooled.
Remove from the pan and cut into 16 bars or any size you want. Cut the whole pan in half, then cut each half into 8 (1-inch) bars. Enjoy! Keep bars covered in the fridge until serving.
