I think it’s gone on long enough…
I’ve posted so many recipes since the announcement, yet I haven’t said a WORD about the Gilmore girls revival.
Well, friends. That changes today.
First off: Childhood MADE.
I love Gilmore girls. For one because I grew up secretly dreaming that I actually was a Gilmore girl because I have that whole brown hair-blue eyes thing going on. And also because Lorelai and Rory are pretty much the definition of #squadgoals.
If I’m being completely honest with you, I’ve watched it nearly a dozen times straight through. That’s probably embarassing. But the show is pure gold, so…oh well? Thank you, Netflix, for your binge-watching capabilities.
So, thoughts about this reboot: I’m not-so-secretly hoping that Rory will end up with Jess. I’ve heard that her three main squeezes – Dean, Logan, and Jess – are coming back, but Jess was my favorite. I know it’s because I had such a crush on him as a kid. Actually, when my mom called me out on it, I remember getting horrendously embarrassed. Cheeks red, totally flustered, saying stuff like, “OMG MOM YOU’RE SO EMBARRASSING.”
It really was every 15-year-old’s nightmare.
I was suchhhh an I’ve-never-seen-a-boy-before-in-my-life kind of girl as a kid. Ah, memories.
I’m also ridiculously excited to see what Paris is up to? I have no idea why because I always sort of thought that she was annoying. But going back through this show as an adult (woah, that was weird to say), I pretty much think she was the funniest character ever.
Also: What about Luke and Lorelai?! I mean, I’d be horribly horribly disappointed if one of them screwed up that relationship between the last season and now. I rewatched the first season a while ago, and I was still rooting for them to be together at episode 1. They’re meant to be. Ross & Rachel, Jim & Pam…Luke & Lorelai.
Gahh I can’t wait. What do you think is gonna happen?
So…what does Gilmore girls have to do with these No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Snack Bars?
“These are a few of my fav-o-rite thingsssss.”
If you’re ever jonesing for candy, but you’re looking to stay within those health goals, these babies are your delicious answer.
They’re laughably simple to make, and they’re made from some of my favorite whole food pantry staples:
- dates. obsessed with these caramely, chewy buggers.
- peanuts. i’m a certified peanut freak.
- homemade chocolate. ya’ll know this recipe is one of my favorite healthy snack/dessert hacks.
And badaboom, that’s it.
So yeah these are basically a glorified LÄRABAR. But ooooh my goodness, friends, they’re so much more than that!
I’m serious when I tell you that they taste like a candy bar. So much so, that I almost called these Healthy No-Bake Snickers Bars. But Mark and I both agreed that “Peanut Butter Cup Snack Bars” really captured the complete and total epicness that is these bars.
Mark takes these Peanut Butter Cup Snack Bars to work as a snack, I eat them for dessert, and honestly, you could totally eat them for breakfast if you wanted to. Really, you can’t enjoy these wrong. You can only enjoy them right. So so right.
You’re gonna go [pea]nuts over these.
PrintNo-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Snack Bars
- Yield: 6 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates*
- 3/4 cup roasted peanuts (I used plain dry-roasted, but salted would be delicious!), plus more for topping
- pinch salt (if not using salted peanuts)
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 and 1/2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
Instructions
- Make the dough: Add dates, peanuts, and salt (if using) into your food processor and pulse until small chunks of peanuts remain and the mixture easily comes together (see photos).
- Press into half of an 8X8 baking pan (otherwise, double the recipe to fill the entire baking pan), and set in the fridge to set, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the chocolate topping: Mix melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and cocoa powder until smooth. Set aside.
- Assemble: Cut the dough into 6 equal-sized bars. Top with the chocolate sauce, and sprinkle with additional peanuts.
- Store bars in the fridge.
Notes
*Make sure your dates are nice and chewy. If they’re a little dry, soak them in some warm water for a few minutes. Then dry them off well with a paper towel, and continue with the rest of the recipe.
I LOVE Gilmore Girls and can’t WAIT until they release the new episodes! Between that and “fuller house” Netflix has won my loyalty for sure. I strongly disliked the last episode of Gilmore Girls and the way they ended the whole series…it was totally unsatisfying (in my opinion)! I’m rooting for Logan…for whatever reason I liked him best! :) These bars look amazing!
Me, too! I really didn’t like that last episode, either…it felt too rushed! I can’t wait to see it in it’s glory again :)
I used to watch GG every day after school with my mom and sister :) So excited!!!! And these look/sound amazingggg. I love dates with a passion lol
Thanks so much, Christina! Dates are my fav <3
I would come home from school and wait until 5pm when the reruns came on on ABC Family when I was younger ;) CLASSIC girl show in every way!
hahahaha me, too! Seriously the best show ever!
I have to admit I’ve never seen an episode of GG…don’t hate me!! But I can definitely get on board with these bars. I’d say they’re better than Larabars because they’re slathered in chocolate!!
What?!?! Get on that, pronto! It’s the best – you’re gonna love it! Thanks for your compliments about these bars! They’re my new favs!
Gahh I’m so so excited for this Netflix revival— I totally have all the boxed DVDs and have watched them an embarrassing amount of times :) Love how simple this recipe is— definitely pinning to try soon!
Ahh, me too! Seriously, I’m going to hunker down on the couch for the entire day and watch it from beginning to end ;)
GILMORE GIRLS!! I’m kinda voting for Jess…but to be honest I also really love Logan. I think that Logan’s ambition and drive matches Rory’s better than Jess because he’s all like “I don’t have a care in the world”…but I don’t know…I can’t decide who would be better for her! Can’t wait to find out :)
Anyway, as we all know, I LOVE pb cups and these bars look so so so super amaze!!
Yeah, Logan was OK…Dean was weird. haha I just can’t wait! Thanks for the recipe love, Lucia :)
I. AM. SO. EXCITED. We just started watching from the beginning AGAIN the other night in preparation for the revival. I’m thinking it’ll come out in the fall. We can totally squeeze in seven seasons before then, right? haha. So you and I FOR SURE need to get together to talk food, and Pittsburgh, and GG, and The Avett Brothers, and a TON of things very soon! :)
Sarah
http://www.thesurznickcommonroom.com
I am, too! That’s a great idea to re-watch them! Let’s get together so soon! I can’t wait to gush about all of this!!
Gurl. You just highlighted my three faveee things too!!! LOVE when bars are topped with chocolate. It makes life better.
haha thank you, Jess! I lovelovelove these bars!
YESSS GILMORE GIRLS! Paris is actually on How to Get Away with Murder right now, so you should check that show out if she was your favorite!
I never got in to Gilmore Girls. I was more Dawson’s Creek (does that totally age me??) OMG these look amazing though! I would power through ’em in no time!
See, Dawson’s Creek was something that I never got into! But I could watch GG morning, noon, and night ;) Thanks so much, Chrissa!
The chocolate coating looks delicious, and I love how easy this recipe is.
Thanks, Elaine! They’re so simple and so incredibly delicious :)
I watched Gilmore Girls with my parents while it was on the air, and my mom and I have since watched it approximately one million times since then. It’s my go-to “I just need something on in the background” show, and it never fails to make me smile. And neither do peanut butter cups ;) These bars look like perfection!
That’s my EXACT mindset, too! I love it as a background show! :) Seriously my favorite show ever