Chocolate Coconut Bars

Chocolate and coconut are a severely underrated combination.

I know that it's not unheard of, with Mounds and Bounty bars and chocolate macaroons, but still. It's almost as good as chocolate and peanut butter, which ranks it above cherries and walnuts in my book.

Even better is when said chocolate and coconut don't require baking to combine. Because sometimes when a craving hits, fifteen minutes is all you can take.

No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Coconut Bars

Ingredients

  -  1 cup coconut oil

  -  3 cups rolled oats

  -  1/2 cup dark brown sugar

  -  3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

  -  1 cup chocolate chips, plus extra for garnish

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the coconut oil. Stir in oats, coconut and sugar, and allow to cook for about 3 minutes, or until all ingredients are well combined. Spoon half of mixture into a greased 9x9 pan and press into bottom. Place in freezer to set for a few minutes. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips by microwaving them in 30 second increments at medium power, stirring in between. When chocolate is smooth, pour over oat mixture and spread carefully with a spatula. Press remaining oat mixture onto chocolate layer and garnish with chocolate chips. Refrigerate or freeze until solid, and store in refrigerator.

I cut into these bad boys a few minutes before they were actually firm, so they were a bit crumbly, but amazing nonetheless. Lots of coconut texture and smooth chocolate flavor. I used Guittard chocolate wafers, which made the chocolate part extra special. 

Chocolate + coconut. Fabulous way to start the day.

What's the most underrated food combination to you?

Out of Business

Earlier tonight, I found myself at the mall to get a pedicure. I was told there would be a half hour wait, so I spent some time browsing around and eventually ran into this:

Borders. Going out of business. Sad.

The upside to this situation? Everything was on sale!

I browsed the cookbook display for a good twenty minutes, wanting to buy about ten of them. Eventually though, I settled on just one that I've been wanting for awhile:

I have a slight blog crush on the Pioneer Woman and am kind of obsessed with how good her recipes always look. Plus, I need to start building my own cookbook cabinet...

Despite the discounted books, I'm downright pissed that Borders is going out of business. I get that everything is done via technology now, from buying real books to downloading digital ones, but the fact that in twenty years you might not be able to physically go into a store and buy a book just makes me disappointed. As a kid, I was the weirdo that always begged my parents to take me to the bookstore. I could spend hours in them. To think they might eventually disappear is so sad...plus, as much as I love my computer and gadgets, there's something to be said for sitting down with a book and reading. No buttons, no screen, just paper.

Okay, rant over. I'm going to start hoarding all the books I can find lest my future children only ever use Kindles in school.

I'm spending the rest of the evening baking cookies for the recent auction and giveaway winners.

"Do not eat" signs are necessary in this house. Clearly, I got my sweet tooth from my parents...

Do you have a Kindle/Nook? What do you prefer- reading on a screen or on paper?

Seven Things I've Learned This Summer

1. Being busy can be stressful, but it's a heck of a lot better than being bored.

2. The only people you need in your life are the ones that want to be there.

3. Dairy products taste really good. Sorry I'm not sorry.

3. No one has their life figured out at 21. No one. 

5. It's extremely liberating not to take pictures of every single meal.

6. You can never have a better friend than a dog.

7. Time always passes way faster than you think it will.

What's something you've learned this summer?