My Raw Chocolate Mint Slice is a healthy and delicious sweet treat. They're ideal for an energy boost and make a great snack or dessert. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings, they are also refined sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan.
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This recipe was first published on It's Not Complicated Recipes.
Why we love this recipe:
This easy to make sweet treat is ideal to have on hand and freezes well. The classic combination of chocolate and mint is just delicious, and you'll find all of the ingredients you need in your local supermarket.
You will love this recipe because:
- The Raw Chocolate and Mint Slice is quick and easy to make. Being raw, there is no cooking involved. You simply add the ingredients to a food process and whiz to combine!
- This recipe is free of refined sugar - the slice uses the natural sweetness from Medjool dates.
- The slice is vegan and gluten-free.
- Adults and children alike will love this recipe - and it is a much healthier option than a supermarket snack which may be high in sodium, sugar and additives.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
Medjool dates – a fresh fruit that is grown on a date palm. Medjool dates are different to dried dates. They have a delicious natural caramel sweetness and are the ideal texture to bring together the Raw Chocolate Mint Slice.
Cashews – for this recipe, I use raw cashews. Cashews have the perfect creamy flavour for this recipe and blend to a smooth texture.
Cacao powder – pronounced “ka-cow”. Cacao powder is made from minimally processed cocoa beans and maintains the nutritional benefits of the bean. It is, in essence, chocolate in its purest form.
Chia seeds – we use chia as a binding agent - they help hold the bars together.
Water – use filtered water to help the ingredients bind together.
Peppermint extract – different brands will vary in intensity. The one that I use has an intense flavour. Add the extract to suit your taste; you may need to use more or less than in the recipe.
Desiccated coconut – this is finely grated, un-sweetened and dried flesh from the white part of the coconut.
Step by step instructions:
- Prepare the dates: wash and dry the dates and remove their seeds. Roughly chop the dates to help them blend easily.
- Line a baking dish: I use one that is 20 cm x 20 cm (8 inch x 8 inch) and line it with cling wrap. Leave a little overhang to make the slice easier to remove. Sprinkle the dish with 1 tablespoon coconut.
- Prepare the mixture: add the dates to the bowl of a food processor, along with the cashews, cacao powder, chia seeds, water and peppermint extract.
- Process the mixture: blend the ingredients until they are combined as you would like them. I like to leave some texture, but you can blend them to be smooth if you prefer. Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to firmly flatten into your dish. If not, add a teaspoon of water and blend again.
- Transfer to your dish: once the mixture is the right consistency, add it to the prepared baking dish.
- Flatten the mixture: using the back of a spoon or a spatula, firmly flatten and smooth the mixture.
- Decorate the top: sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of coconut. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour to firm up.
- Cut into bars: cut the slice into bars the size of your choice. I cut mine into 15. (Approximately 6.5 cm x 4 cm (2 ½ x 1 ½ inches). Store the Raw Chocolate Mint Slice in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips for Success and FAQs:
Ensure that the dates you use are Medjool dates. These are fresh dates, available from the greengrocer or fruit and veg section of the supermarket. They are not the dried variety that is found in the baking aisle of the supermarket.
Once you have blended the mixture, check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to compress into a bar. If not, add another date or two, or a teaspoon of water, and blend again.
The slice will last in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container, for up to two weeks.
To keep the slice longer, wrap the pieces in cling wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
For a nutritious, energy-boosting snack, try my Raw Chocolate Mint Slice. With just a few minutes of preparation time, this is the perfect treat to make to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Be sure to let me know in the comments below when you have given them a try!
Alex xx
Raw Chocolate Mint Slice
Ingredients
For the slice:
- 1 1/2 cups (330 g) Medjool dates See Note 1
- 1 1/2 cups (225 g) raw cashews
- 1/3 cup (40 g) cacao powder See Note 2
- 3 tsp white chia seeds
- 3 tbsp (60 ml) filtered water See Note 3
- 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract See Note 4
For coating the slice:
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut See Notes 3 and 5
Recipe Measurements:
For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.
Instructions
- Prepare the dates: wash and dry the dates and remove their seeds. Roughly chop the dates to help them blend easily.
- Line a baking dish: I use one that is 20 cm x 20 cm (8 inch x 8 inch) and line it with cling wrap. Leave a little overhang to make the slice easier to remove. Sprinkle the dish with 1 tablespoon coconut.
- Prepare the mixture: add the dates to the bowl of a food processor, along with the cashews, cacao powder, chia seeds, water and peppermint extract.
- Process the mixture: blend the ingredients until they are combined as you would like them. I like to leave some texture, but you can blend them to be smooth if you prefer. Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to firmly flatten into your dish. If not, add a teaspoon of water and blend again.
- Transfer to your dish: once the mixture is the right consistency, add it to the prepared baking dish.
- Flatten the mixture: using the back of a spoon or a spatula, firmly flatten and smooth the mixture.
- Decorate the top: sprinkle the top with the remaining tablespoon of coconut. Cover and refrigerate for about one hour to firm up.
- Cut into bars: cut the slice into bars the size of your choice. I cut mine into 15. (Approximately 6.5 cm x 4 cm (2 ½ x 1 ½ inches). Store the Raw Chocolate Mint Slice in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Medjool dates: these are fresh dates, not dried. For accuracy, weigh the dates with the stones still in. If measuring by volume, the dates are firmly packed in the cup. The number will vary depending on the size of the date.
- Cacao powder: is made from minimally processed cocoa beans and maintains the many nutritional benefits of the bean. It is readily available in supermarkets.
- Tablespoon: I use the Australian tablespoon, which is 20ml or 4 teaspoons.
- Peppermint extract: the intensity will vary depending on the brand you use. Adjust to your taste.
- Desiccated coconut: is finely shredded coconut.
- Nutritional information: is based on the slice being cut into 15 pieces. The nutritional information is for one piece and is an estimate only.
Nutrition
Nutritional Information
Please note, the nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients you use.
Cassie
Love this slice so much!
Alexandra Cook
Thank you so much, Cassie! Alex xo