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Home » sweet things » 5-ingredient raw chocolate orange bars

5-ingredient raw chocolate orange bars

18 Nov 14

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5-ingredient raw chocolate orange bars by Scrummy Lane

Over the last couple of weeks, Mr. Scrummy and I have somehow got ourselves addicted to old Seinfeld reruns. A family member mentioned it, we watched one episode soon after and then before we knew it we were totally hooked. At first, having never seen even one episode of Seinfeld before, I wasn’t so keen. The first episode we watched (‘The Hamptons’, if you were ever a Seinfeld fan) seemed full of dated and, frankly, quite sexist, almost slapstick-style jokes. But I thought I’d give it a chance and watch a couple more episodes and then … bam, just can’t stop watching them now. My favourite character is Elaine. She’s so honest, fun and feisty!

So as I particularly enjoyed last night’s episode, and as it began with a food theme, I thought I’d share the first few exchanges of the script with you. Just in case you don’t know, Jerry Seinfeld is a comedian and the show always starts and ends with him on stage telling jokes. So here goes:

JERRY: You know, I tell ya, I gotta say that I’m enjoying adulthood. For a lot of reasons. And, I’ll tell you reason number one: as an adult, if I want a cookie, I have a cookie, okay? I have three cookies or four cookies, or eleven cookies if I want. Many times I will intentionally ruin my entire appetite. Just ruin it. And then, I call my mother up right after to tell her that I did it. “Hello, Mom? Yeah, I just ruined my entire appetite … cookies.” See, because as an adult, we understand that even if you ruin an appetite, there’s another appetite coming right behind it. There’s no danger in running out of appetites. I’ve got millions of them, I’ll ruin them whenever I want!

making-raw-choc-orange-bars

Now as I have a tendency to do this before dinner with things like chips and dips and crumpets and biscuits, I thought it’d be a great idea to come up with a healthier pre-dinner snack. Yes, I’ll probably still ruin my appetite on occasion because I just didn’t have enough self-control to wait until dinner, but at least it’ll be ruined by something super wholesome like these 5-ingredient raw chocolate orange bars. I discovered some bars very similar to this in the supermarket a while ago and ever since have been meaning to attempt to re-create them at home. Although I say it myself, I seem to have got them right first time!

There are only five ingredients in these bars (I know, the name gave that one away) … dates, raw cashew nuts, sultanas, raw cacao powder and the zest and juice of one orange. They are also ridiculously easy to make, requiring just a few minutes of whizzing up in a food processor.

raw-choc-orange-bars

5-ingredient raw chocolate orange bars by Scrummy Lane

So that’s the fabulous thing about these, but the miraculous thing is that they taste like the sweetest, most decadent dessert – like an extra gooey brownie or even soft chocolaty toffee or fudge – all with a fairly intense hit of orange flavour. You would never in a zillion years guess that there is NO refined sugar, chocolate, butter or oil in them. Just pure goodness. And they are even gluten free. Great news, no?

So next time I get a pre-dinner snack attack, I’m going to reach for one of these and feel all smug – even if I can’t eat my dinner afterwards! 😉

5-ingredient raw chocolate orange bars by Scrummy Lane

5-ingredient raw chocolate orange bars

Squidgy and super chocolaty chocolate orange bars. These taste like a gooey brownie, but are actually a healthy blend of just 5 raw ingredients - cashews, dates, sultanas, cocoa and an orange. A snack that you don't need to feel any guilt about.
4 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cuisine British
Servings (click to change) 8 -10
Author Helen

Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)

cups/ounces - grams/ml
  • 1 orange juiced and zested
  • 6 ounces pitted dates
  • 2/3 cup raw cashew nuts
  • 1/3 cup raisins or sultanas I used raisins
  • 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder

Instructions
 

  • Line a fairly small square baking tin (I had 8x8 inch) with baking paper and set aside.
  • Put the dates in a small bowl and pour half of the orange juice over them. Put aside for a moment.
  • Put the cashews and the rest of the orange juice in your food processor and process until they are all mashed up and clump together in a ball (this took quite a while – at least 2 or 3 minutes).
  • Tip the cashew and orange mixture into a bowl. Then tip the dates/orange juice and sultanas into the food processor and process for a short while until they too are all mashed up and form a sticky ball (this won’t take as long as the cashews).
  • Add the mashed up dates/sultanas to the cashew/orange mixture in the bowl, then add the cacao and orange zest and mash everything together well until it resembles a thick chocolate cake batter.
  • Tip the mixture into the baking tin and spread out and press down until it’s evenly pressed in and smooth.
  • Cover and put in the fridge or freezer to harden a little, then cut into 8 to 10 bars (I cut mine into 8, but that makes fairly large bars).

Notes

Inspired by Nakd chocolate orange bars These store really well in the freezer. Just freeze and take the bars out individually when you want to eat them.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 308mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 9.1mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1.3mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know if you liked it!

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By Helen all recipes, Baby & kid friendly, breakfast, gluten free, healthy, snacks, sweet things, vegan

Comments

  1. Gintare @Gourmantine says

    21 Nov 14 at 5:37 pm

    These look sensational and so perfect to nibble upon when in need of a snack (and I always need them). I’ve missed so many of your beautiful posts, but it’s always such a pleasure to come back and read 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      22 Nov 14 at 5:12 pm

      Hello, Gintare! I’ve been missing a lot of your posts, too … now I have to fix that! Life has definitely been ‘getting in the way’ lately! I hope you’re well and thanks for passing by!

      Reply
  2. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    21 Nov 14 at 4:16 am

    I love Seinfeld, Helen! There are so many great episodes, but I love that quote you put up. I frequently ruin my appetite with cookies…darn cookies and lack of will power! This chocolate looks amazing, and love that it is healthy for you!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      22 Nov 14 at 5:16 pm

      So glad you liked the quote, Denise … I’m still steadily working my way through the seasons (totally not in order!) but this quote from this episode is one of my favourite so far. Glad you like the bars, too … I can’t stop eating them!

      Reply
  3. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    20 Nov 14 at 5:32 pm

    Sadly I am on the final season of Dexter – and healthier snacks like these would help the season go down (instead of the crisps I keep getting).

    Reply
    • Helen says

      22 Nov 14 at 5:17 pm

      Hahaha … absolutely! The last season is the only one I haven’t seen … I just love that show!

      Reply
  4. Eva says

    20 Nov 14 at 8:48 pm

    Je crois que tu viens de trouver le snack parfait pour regarder tout sort des séries à la Tv!
    J’adore le mariage entre l’orange et le chocolat et j’ai beaucoup aimée ta présentation.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      22 Nov 14 at 5:17 pm

      Merci beaucoup, Eva! Moi aussi j’adore le mariage entre l’orange et le chocolat … c’est mon favori! 🙂

      Reply
  5. [email protected] The Gastronomic Bong says

    20 Nov 14 at 11:16 am

    Hahah.. i do the same thing.. i ruin my appetite by snacking on caramel popcorn.. i am so addicted to it.. 😀 but these bars are simply amazing and healthy. I really need to make this bars.. love it!!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Nov 14 at 5:21 pm

      Ooh, now there’s an idea – caramel popcorn! Not quite as healthy as these bars but veeery tempting! Glad you like the bars, Arpita!

      Reply
  6. Zainab says

    20 Nov 14 at 4:33 am

    Oooooo I love these bars!!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Nov 14 at 5:21 pm

      Thanks, Zainab!

      Reply
  7. Rachel @ Bakerita says

    20 Nov 14 at 1:57 am

    These sound delicious, and I love that they’re only 5 ingredients!!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Nov 14 at 5:22 pm

      Thanks, Rachel! That’s the best thing – they’re so easy to make!

      Reply
  8. Judit+ Corina | Glamorous Bite says

    20 Nov 14 at 1:53 am

    Wow, love these delicious and healthy bars, Helen! Orange and cocoa is our favorite combo. LOL Elain is the best! Actually non of the new shows can measure up to Seinfeld 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Nov 14 at 5:24 pm

      I totally agree – where have all the great comedies gone? 🙁 Glad you like the healthy bars – they’re my current mid-morning snack!

      Reply
  9. Laura @ Raise Your Garden says

    20 Nov 14 at 12:11 am

    Ok, so I laughed out loud when you used the word “crumpet” in this post. I didn’t think English people really ate crumpets, but you must, ha! Now I want a crumpet. These bars looks marvelous and no refined sugar, what a great snack for that afternoon slump I find myself in everyday at 2 ish! And I confess, when I was a kid I wouldn’t touch the chocolate/orange combo, but now I love it! Amazing how refined our tastes get as we age =)

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Nov 14 at 5:26 pm

      Oh, so now I’m laughing out loud! That’s hilarious. We really do eat crumpets – in fact pretty much everyone I know loves them – they’re a delicious breakfast or anytime snack. Thank goodness I have this slightly healthier snack to hand at the moment too, though 🙂

      Reply
  10. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    19 Nov 14 at 11:29 pm

    Hehe I always love it when there’s a Seinfeld reference!! It’s one of my favourite shows ever and I remember that scene! 😀

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Nov 14 at 5:26 pm

      You do? Oh, I’ve got so much catching up to do. Nothing like getting there with something ten years too late … haha! It’s making for some fun evening viewing at the moment, though!

      Reply
  11. Allison says

    19 Nov 14 at 9:47 pm

    Helen! I really enjoy a good Seinfeld rerun. I also love Elaine––She’s hilarious!

    The combo of orange and chocolate is new to me in a raw bar like this. Brilliant idea!!!! Seems every holiday appropriate too!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 10:15 pm

      Thanks, Allison … glad you like it! I had one of these this morning for my morning snack, and was very tempted to have another one just now – managed to resist, though! (you know, too much of a good thing and all that …) Now I’m off to watch another Seinfeld 😉

      Reply
  12. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    19 Nov 14 at 9:43 pm

    Seinfield is a classic show! I’m not big into it, but every once in a whole, I’ll watch a rerun. These raw chocolate bars look incredible, Helen! I’ve never seen anything quite like this. I absolutely love the orange flavor! Such a great treat when you want a chocolate fix.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 10:17 pm

      Aw, so glad you like these, Gayle! They really do taste very chocolaty, so I hope you give them or something like them a try some time. They’re my favourite snack at the moment!

      Reply
  13. ATasteOfMadness says

    20 Nov 14 at 2:48 am

    Wow, this looks amazing! I have some oranges in the fridge.. I should really make something with them!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      20 Nov 14 at 5:21 pm

      Hello! Oh, do have a go at making these bars – you’ll love them!

      Reply
  14. Shashi @ runninsrilankan says

    19 Nov 14 at 1:40 pm

    Haha – love your segway of incorporating Elaine’s cookie love into these healthy bars! With these bars there’s no chance of ruining my appetite – only problem with these bars is not being able to hold onto them long enough! I so adore the combo of dates, raisins and cashews – combining them with cacao is just plain brilliant and oh so decadent!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 3:56 pm

      Hi, Shashi! So glad you approve of my Seinfeld ‘trick’ to introduce these bars. This was my first attempt at something like this and I’ve been scoffing one every morning as a snack (to stop me eating cookies instead!) 🙂

      Reply
  15. Marcie says

    19 Nov 14 at 5:38 am

    I love the flavors of chocolate and orange, Helen –these bars would be so great for snacks and breakfast! And Seinfeld reruns sound like fun! I miss that show.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:00 pm

      Hi, Marcie! So glad you like these – it’s the choc orange combo that makes it for me. Everyone seems to love Seinfeld and yet I’ve only just discovered it – better late than never, though! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Kathleen | hapanom says

    19 Nov 14 at 1:28 pm

    I love Seinfield! There are so many times in even daily life that remind me of something that happened on that show! Granted – on Seinfeld it’s more extreme and taken to a hilarious level – but really, life is can be hilarious, right!?

    Amazing recipe! I’m a huge fan of chocolate and orange! And how cool that its raw! I’ve never tried that before – but will have remedy that!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 3:58 pm

      Hi, Kathleen! It’s ridiculous that I’ve only just jumped on the Seinfeld bandwagon, isn’t it (only 10 years or so late … haha! I get there in the end though, it seems!) I love the choc-orange combo, too. I’ve just decided today too that these taste a little like Christmas cake – except a gooey, even more decadent version. I’m sitting here feeling very smug though that they are so healthy. So glad you like them!

      Reply
  17. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

    19 Nov 14 at 3:17 am

    I love Seinfeld!! My parents were huge huge huge fans when it was first on TV so I grew up with Seinfeld quotes. Now I always seem to catch reruns on TV and feel like I know the episodes already because I’ve heard the quotes a million times haha These bars are fabulous!!! Chocolate orange anything is a favorite and I love how simple these are.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:01 pm

      Ahhh … you must have super cool parents, Alyssa! That’s so funny that you feel like you’ve already watched them … haha! My husband is always quoting lines from TV shows (mostly old British comedy, some of which was so hilarious), so now I think he’s going to add this to his ‘repetoire’!!

      Reply
  18. cheri says

    19 Nov 14 at 12:08 am

    Hi Helen, these bars are a beautiful thing, love them. Every once in a while I’ll go crazy and eat cookies for breakfast. We used to watch Seinfeld, I remember the phones were like a foot long.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:02 pm

      Hi, Cheri! Thanks so much for ‘liking’ these! I think that’s wonderful to eat something ‘naughty’ for breakfast every now and again – especially at weekends!
      P.S. I’ll have to keep an eye out for those foot-long phones on Seinfeld! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Allie | Baking a Moment says

    18 Nov 14 at 11:22 pm

    Wow these sound amazing Helen!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:02 pm

      Thanks, Allie 🙂

      Reply
  20. Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says

    18 Nov 14 at 11:02 pm

    We love Seinfeld! We received a DVD collection and have watched every single one. We never get tired of seeing the same one over and over. It is so funny and a lot of their lines stick with you. 😀
    These bars look delicious! I love the flavor combination and how easy they are to make.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:06 pm

      I’m thinking that I’d quite like that collection, Cindy! There are so many great one-liners in that show. So happy you like the bars and hope you give something like this a go some day!

      Reply
  21. Mira says

    18 Nov 14 at 9:57 pm

    I love these! Chocolate and orange is a great combination and you’v done a great job creating this healthy recipe! I will definitely try them!
    I like Seinfeld, but haven’t watched the show in a while. It is funny!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:06 pm

      Hi, Mira! Choc orange is one of my favourite flavour combos – so glad you like it, too! I hope you do try them some time soon 🙂

      Reply
  22. Annie @Maebells says

    18 Nov 14 at 8:36 pm

    Oh I love easy grab and go recipes like this! Looks great!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks, Annie … you’re right, these are totally grab and go. I have a stash in my freezer right now which are coming in ‘very handy’ come mid morning when I’m feeling a bit peckish!

      Reply
  23. Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says

    18 Nov 14 at 8:34 pm

    oh seinfeld 🙂 and wow these bars look incredible!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:07 pm

      Hi, Caralyn … so happy you like these! (oh, and thanks so much for passing by!)

      Reply
  24. [email protected] Eats says

    18 Nov 14 at 8:04 pm

    Mrs Scrummy, I have to say I have seen sugarless chocolates bars/balls before but I have never been tempted however, I trust your taste so if you tell me these really do taste fudge-like, I am now going to give this a go! I actually have an entire bag of dates (was planning to make sticky date pudding) so I am tempted to try this right now!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:10 pm

      Haha … actually this is the first time I’ve been tempted by something like this. I had to add chocolate and orange before I’d give them a go! So how did your attempt go? I really hope they actually did taste fudgy now that I’ve said so! I decided today that they also taste a bit like Christmas cake .. I guess it’s the raisins that does it. Anyway, so glad you liked these enough to give them a go! 🙂

      Reply
  25. Culinary Ginger says

    18 Nov 14 at 6:43 pm

    Chocolate and orange, one of the best flavor combos and I love dates, i eat them everyday so I should probably make these 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:11 pm

      Hi, Janette! Really, you eat dates every day? Oh, well you absolutely must try these, then! I suspect you’ll love them!

      Reply
  26. Chris @ Shared Appetite says

    18 Nov 14 at 5:06 pm

    How have you never seen Seinfeld before?!?! It’s SUCH a classic! Re-runs play here on pretty much all the channels all the time. So glad you have finally been introduced to Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer!

    And these bars… they look awesome! I’m such a fan of chocolate and orange together… such a great combo!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:11 pm

      I know … I’ve been totally Seinfeld ‘head in the sand’ deprived! Got to make up for lost time now!
      So glad you like the bars, too … I’m addicted at the moment!

      Reply
  27. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    18 Nov 14 at 2:18 pm

    I make something very similar, although I put coconut oil in mine and they are SO good, aren’t they. A nice healthy snack.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      19 Nov 14 at 4:13 pm

      Hi, Dannii! Yes, these are so yummy! Mine actually taste as if they’ve got oil or butter in, but they haven’t … although I say it myself, I was so impressed with myself because of that. Ha!
      So glad you like these .. I will have to come over and check out your version, too!

      Reply
  28. JayanthiSindhiya says

    18 Nov 14 at 9:43 am

    Wow this sounds interesting,Iam having all the stuff u have mentioned and Iam going to try now,thanks.

    Reply
    • Helen says

      18 Nov 14 at 9:56 am

      Hello and thanks for passing by! Hope you like these as much as I did!

      Reply
  29. Julie | This Gal Cooks says

    18 Nov 14 at 3:05 am

    I used to watch Seinfeld when I was younger and it was on syndicated TV (I think it still is). I like the show but it wasn’t a show that I ever felt OMG I have to watch this ALL the time! But it is funny!

    Now I need to get these bars in my life stat. Especially with all of the junk I’ve been eating lately. My body feels like a wreck and I think I’m becoming addicted to sugar and carbs. Yuck! Love this recipe, Helen!

    Reply
    • Helen says

      18 Nov 14 at 9:58 am

      I think we’ve just got into the habit of switching on an episode while eating. It helps that the episodes are only about 20 mins long, I guess. I know I’m about 20 years late with getting into this, but … oh well! Classic comedy!
      Definitely get something like these bars into your life, Julie. Makes me feel OK about eating sweet chocolaty stuff!

      Reply
  30. [email protected] Olives & Garlic says

    18 Nov 14 at 1:20 am

    Wow Helen I can just imagine the flavor combination. I adore chocolate and orange together. It’s been a while since I’ve last watched Seinfeld but every so often I remember the lines from an episode. 🙂

    Reply
    • Helen says

      18 Nov 14 at 9:59 am

      seems like the kind of show that it’s easy to remember the lines from! Glad you like the choc-orange combo. It’s my fave, too!

      Reply
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