Rocky Road Bars {vegan)

Desserts are my favorite to make. I have to try really hard not to make too many decadent desserts in order not to have daily temptations but sometimes we just want something good besides a nice ripe banana. Ya know?

When I saw this recipe for Gooey Rocky Road Bars made by Kristina @Whipped, I knew I had to make them ASAP. I had all the ingredients and it looked very uncomplicated.

Since I am keeping up with portion control and calories I decided to lighten the recipe a little more. I chose to use coconut palm sugar and applesauce instead of straight sugar and vegetable oil.

I used Special Dark cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet for a deeper and richer flavor. The original recipe said it would take 20-25 minutes to bake but the recipe took 45-50 minutes to bake.

It was a big torture smelling these bake for such a long time. Ryan kept asking whether they were done already.

I let them cool for 10-15 minutes. Ryan asked if he could dig in. I mean seriously folks. These looked and smelled delicious.

Ryan bit into one of them and devoured them in a bit. He looked at me and said that this was probably one of my best desserts yet. Says a lot coming from my husband…

Thanks Kristina for the inspiration and for the delicious recipe.

People…..you must make these at once and report back.

REMINDER: If you have not entered my Saucy Mama Gourmet Mustard Giveaway, check it out and enter for a chance to win three different bottles.

If you would, do you mind voting for my recipes? If you liked my tofu strips then go vote for me please. I would appreciate it a lot. I would bake you these if I could too!

Rocky Road Bars

by Noelle Kelly

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45-50 minutes

Keywords: dessert soy-free vegan chocolate brownies

Ingredients (12 bars)

1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Coconut Palm Sugar
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
6 ounces Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate 60% Cacao
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup mini vegan marshmallows

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Spray a 9×9 glass pan with non-stick pan.

Combine flour, sugars, cocoa, and salt in a large bowl and mix with a whisk.

In a small bowl, combine water, applesauce, vinegar, and vanilla. Pour liquid over flour mixture and mix with the whisk until just smooth.

Add half the chocolate chips and stir to incorporate.

Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth evenly. Sprinkle marshmallows, chocolate chips and walnuts and gently press into mixture leaving tips exposed.

Bake for 45 minutes until knife comes out with bits of gooey crumbles. Let brownies cool for 10 minutes and slice into 12 brownies.