These Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bars have double the chocolate flavor, with both cocoa powder and chocolate chips for a rich yet wholesome dessert. Made with almond flour to keep things gluten-free and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, this easy bake is ready in just 30 minutes! Gluten-free, vegan.
A Quick and Cravable Chocolate Dessert
When a chocolate craving hits, these bars deliver on two fronts: a rich, cocoa dough studded with pockets of gooey chocolate chips. They're made with wholesome, pantry-friendly ingredients simply stirred together by hand, for a fuss-free dessert you can feel good about. Just mix, press and bake! Feel free to customize them with extras like chopped nuts or dried fruit to make them your own.
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
Ground flaxseed - Gels when mixed with water to create a 'flax egg' which binds the dough as a vegan egg replacer.
Almond flour - A good source of healthy fats, protein and vitamin E. It forms the bulk of the bars, giving them a tender texture while keeping things gluten-free. Don't have any on hand? You can make your own!
Cocoa powder - Rich in heart-healthy polyphenols and brings a deep chocolate flavor. You can also use cacao powder which is less refined than unsweetened cocoa powder.
Baking soda - Helps the bars to rise when baked, giving them a light texture.
Maple syrup - A natural sweetener with a mild, caramel-like flavor. Agave nectar or honey (if not vegan) also work well.
Natural Almond Butter - Creates a rich, fudgy texture and acts as a binder. Make sure to use unsweetened almond butter.
Dairy-free chocolate chips - Go with your favorite vegan chocolate chips here, I like the Enjoy Life brand.
Water, vanilla extract, and salt.
How to Make Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bars
Before you start: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 1: In a small bowl, stir together flaxseed and water. Let sit for 5 minutes until thickened.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Add to the bowl the flax egg, maple syrup, almond butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until a thick, cohesive batter forms.
Step 4: Fold in chocolate chips then press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just firm. Let cool completely before slicing.
Variations
Try different mix-ins to change these bars to your taste!
- Chocolate-Coconut: Stir in ¼ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut.
- Chocolate-Mint: Stir in a few drops of pure peppermint extract.
- Mocha: Replace the water with strong, brewed coffee.
- Chocolate-Nut: Stir in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans.
Recipe Tips
- Let the parchment paper overhang the edges of the pan when lining it. This makes it easy to lift the bars from the pan when you're ready to slice.
- Don't overbake these bars! Take them out of the oven when the edges feel firm and the center is just set. This will ensure they remain moist and tender.
- For the cleanest slices, let the cookie bars cool fully (or even refrigerate for an hour) before cutting with a large, sharp knife.
- Try serving warm with a scoop of dairy-free chocolate ice cream for the ultimate dessert.
More Chocolate Chip Recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bars (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 2 ½ tablespoon water
- 1½ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup natural almond butter well stirred
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, stir together flaxseed and water. Let sit for 5 minutes until thickened.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the bowl the flax egg, maple syrup, almond butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until a thick, cohesive batter forms.
- Fold in chocolate chips then press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just firm. Let cool completely before slicing.
Leave a Reply