So I made these goji pecan bars... and then I couldn't stop eating them. Typical!
Actually I thought I was quite done with pecans after all the pecan cookies, cheesecake pie, and maple pie that's been happening lately -- but just when I thought I was going to take a break from pecans, a friend gifted me a whole bag of them and tasked me with creating something yummy!
Oh, well. I don't think I could ever complain about too many pecans (especially free ones), so I put them to good use and ended up with these cookie bars.
Wait just a moment! ✋ Did you see that crispy cracked top layer in the above photo? Brings back memories of sugary cookie bars and brownies, doesn't it? I thought those were forever lost to me when I quit refined sugar. So when these bars came out of the oven sporting that perfectly crackled top, I was shocked.
It happened due to a small fluke, which led to an interesting discovery... and also to some cookie bars that are perfectly crispy-topped on the outside, yet warm, soft and chewy on the inside. My perfect balance...
So the little accident was due to the fact I completely ran out of coconut sugar mid-way through making these. I was aiming for ½ a cup of coconut sugar, but was just a few tablespoon short. I rummaged through the pantry and found some sucanat in the corner...
If you're not familiar, sucanat is a form of cane sugar, but it is unrefined and retains all its nutrients and minerals intact. So it's another form of a sweetener that could be used in refined sugar-free baking, but it's one I never use on the blog because I think most people are terrified of the sound of "cane sugar" these days. But sucanat is actually one of the good guys (in moderation of course!). So I threw a few tablespoon in and couldn't believe the crispy cookie bar top ?
If you're not sold on the sucanat though, or if your health doesn't permit you to have some, feel free to use all coconut sugar instead for that part -- it'll work just the same, minus the sugary crackled top bit.
On that note, though these bars are refined sugar-free, they are sweeeeet! The sugar is what holds them together, actually (unlike other types of bars held together by fats -- these are an oil-free version).
It's definitely a dessert bar more than just a granola / power bar. But they are filling (thanks to the pecans), and satisfying. And I fess up, I totally still had them as breakfast. They're so, so good with a cuppa.
Oh, and if you're not a fan of goji (I'm actually not either! except they tasted good in this -- pinky swear), feel free to substitute raisins or dried cherries.
So there you go, 5 ingredients only (or 6 if you go the sucanat route), and you've got yourself some crispy, chewy, and delicious cookie bars and a mini lesson on getting crackle tops on your refined sugar-free bars!
Goji Pecan Cookie Bars
Gluten-free pecan cookie bars that are crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. Sweet vegan recipe, without refined sugar, only 5 ingredients!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 bars
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried goji berries
- 1 ½ cups pecan halves
- ½ cup coconut sugar (or ⅓ cup coconut sugar + 2 ½ tbsp sucanat for a crispier top)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8" x 6" tupperware container (or any oven-safe dish of a similar size) with parchment paper and set aside.
- Process all ingredients in a food processor into a fine sticky crumble. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and press down into a flat even layer. Cover with a piece of parchment paper and press it down even more with a flat-bottomed object to compress the mixture as much as possible.
- Bake in a pre-heated oven for 25 mins. Remove from oven and cool on a rack. Cut into pieces and enjoy. Store leftovers in a sealed tupperware container.
Tess says
These look wonderful! Thanks for sharing them! Your site is so beautiful as well.
Audrey says
Thank you very much, Tess!
Callie says
I made this bars a couple of nights ago, and they are fantastic - so reminiscent of pecan pie, but with goji berries and crust-free! Absolutely in love with them. I'm going to try mixing up the nuts and berries, too. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Audrey says
Aw, so so happy you liked them Callie -- I can seem them being good with other nuts and seeds. In fact, I was going to give them a try this week with some macadamia myself :) Thank you very much for taking the time to leave feedback -- much appreciated!
Natalia says
I bought goji this week thinking how loaded with antioxidants they are and was thinking of new ways to eat them, so your recipe is so in time! They really look like sugary cookie bars - so so tempting! Thank you for this lovely recipe, Audrey!
Audrey says
Oh, good! :) It's funny, I only like gojis in certain things -- but when they're good in something, they're really good + they are a healthy treat, so I try and challenge myself to work them into things. They worked great in these bars.
Casey the College Celiac says
So simple yet so delicious, I'm sure! I love the idea of playing with pecans and goji berries...definitely gives it a seasonal twist.
Audrey says
Thanks Casey -- definitely feeling the season with the warmer spices, goji, and pecans :)
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
What a coincidence, I just made a batch of muffins and on a whim sprinkled a little sucanat on top and was amazed at how crispy the tops were! It doesn't take much, but the texture is so good. I haven't used anything but coconut sugar in so long, I had almost forgotten there were other granulated sweeteners ha! Mmm and with the maple syrup too I bet these are super scrumptious little bars. And so simple too! Gojis plain--? Gojis in stuff--?
Audrey says
Haha. Seriously laughed at the gojis plain vs. in stuff -- that captures my feelings exactly :D