Coconut Date Magic Bars with Sesame (Vegan, No Oil, Gluten Free)

Magic bars are the best - but, I seriously couldn't imagine them without the ever-famous . . . condensed milk and chocolate. But, then, thankfully, I learned a cool trick for substituting condensed milk from Feasting on Fruit: blend 3 ripe bananas! With this tip, I then decided to sub out the chocolate for dates (because, honestly, dates are WAY better)! Hence, I am now able to share this incredibly tasty layered treat where you can save your evaporated milk and chocolate for a different day!

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1/3 cup maple syrup, agave syrup, or date puree
3 ripe bananas
3/4 cup chopped almonds
3/4 cup chopped dates
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup sesame seeds

Instructions:

Following these instructions exactly will provide the best results.

1. To make the crust, blend the oats on low speed until the oats break into small pieces. Add the maple syrup into the blender until a sticky dough is formed.
2. Press the crust into an 8x4" baking dish (I used a glass dish - but recommend lining your pan with parchment paper if using a metal pan). Bake the crust for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove the crust from the oven and cool.
3. Blend the bananas until smooth.
4. Pour the banana puree on top of the crust.
5. Sprinkle the almonds on top of the banana puree, followed by the chopped dates.
6. Press the almonds and dates into the banana puree so that the banana puree rises up and covers the almonds and dates.
7. Sprinkle the coconut on top of the banana puree and gently press down - the banana puree does not need to cover the coconut completely, but should cover the coconut partially.
8. Finally sprinkle the sesame seeds on top of the coconut.
9. Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

10. Cool and then chill the bars in a refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

11. Slice the bars and enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge!

#halahbakes