Chocolate Tahini Shortbread Bars - tahini brings a nutty savory flavor to these chocolately shortbread cookie bars - a unique plant based variation of a classic!
Happy Halloweeeeeeen!
Last Friday night we saw an amazing show - Bassnectar came to Portland for the second time in 2012. Loren loves us in Portland. I have seen Bassnectar a few times at Burning Man, but it has been far too long. This was by far the best show I have seen, and many who were there Friday say the same.
We went downtown early enough to get wristbands for floor access - the whole show was general admission to maximize the free flow flowy free feeling - I cannot recall exactly what he said but it was pretty cool. and we knew we wanted to be on the floor.
For a while we were in the very front row.
Then we moved more toward the front middle, because Jason said this was the best place to hear maximum bass. You could feel the bass.
There's Loren - can you see him, right in the middle? If you have not heard Bassnectar, go listen to a bit of his music - it is awesome (and even if you have heard him - go listen!). Then if you like what you hear, if Bassnectar is coming to your area and there are still tickets, you should go!
I made these bars the morning of the show. I was up early, had the day off, and didn't know what to do with myself, I was so excited. I put on some wub wub music and made a tahini version of the classic chocolate peanut butter layer bar. Late night snacks post show.
Perfect.
Chocolate Tahini Shortbread Bars
dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan
½ cup butter (Earth Balance soy free)
3 tablespoons coconut sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla paste
1 cup gluten free all purpose flour
¾ cup tahini
¼ cup butter (Earth Balance soy free), room temperature
2 cups coconut powdered sugar*
1-2 tablespoons coconut milk (carton)Â
8-10 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons butter (Earth Balance soy free) / coconut oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
shortbread base: Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Stir in flour ½ cup at a time and combine until dough forms, do not over mix. Press into 9 x 9 baking dish, bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until set and golden brown. Remove from oven and cool.Â
tahini layer:Â *make your own powdered sugar from coconut sugar granules - blend in food processor or high speed blender until fine powder forms. store in airtight container.
Cream together tahini, butter and powdered sugar; add milk and stir until smooth. When cookie base is cool, spread tahini filling in an even layer. Place in refrigerator to set while preparing chocolate topping.
chocolate topping:Â In small saucepan, melt chocolate and butter or coconut oil to a smooth consistency. Remove bars from refrigerator, pour chocolate over top and spread to a smooth layer over tahini. Return to refrigerator to set.
Do you know Bassnectar?
What was the last great music show you went to?
printable Chocolate Tahini Shortbread Bars recipes:Â
Preheat oven to 350 °F. DIY Powdered Sugar Make your own powdered sugar from coconut sugar granules. Blend coconut sugar in food processor or high speed blender until fine powder forms. Store in an airtight container. nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
Chocolate Tahini Shortbread Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
Tahini Fudge Layer
Chocolate Topping
Instructions
Make the shortbread crust
Make the tahini fudge layer
Make the chocolate topping
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 397Total Fat: 29gSodium: 117mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 7gSugar: 31gProtein: 8g
moonsword says
Thanks for these gorgeous shorties! I think they'd make perfect little gifts, wrapped up like little candies but oh so much better! Happy Halloween and A Blessed Samhain!
spabettie says
oooh, they WOULD make great gifts! I will have to remember this... 😉
Adventures in Dressmaking says
Oooh, sounds good! May have to try this flavor combo in a raw/grain-and-processed-food-free version! I do like those sticky sesame bars with the chocolate drizzled over them, from the Asian grocery stores... never would have thought to put tahini in a chocolate bar before, though! Yum!
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
I think you have been even more creative this month than usual (if that's even possible). Lentils in cookies & tahini on sweets - yummy!
spabettie says
especially on Mondays, right? I just want to tell you again how much fun I am having - we should just start the alphabet over again and choose new foods! 😉
Carrian@ohsweetbasil says
I haven't tried tahini in baked goods either, I can't wait to try it!
spabettie says
it's a really good flavor, I think, and goes well with chocolate!
Allie says
I love your taste in music! I may or may not have already bought my tickets to this: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B00494BF72B7CCF?artistid=1107210&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=201
Bassnectar on New Year's? Don't mind if I do!
spabettie says
that is THE PERFECT WAY to spend New Years Eve!! I am so jealous - you will have a BLAST. have you seen him live before??
Allie says
Nope! This will be my first Bassnectar concert--can't wait! Thank goodness the holiday season goes by so fast...
spabettie says
oooh I cannot WAIT to hear what you think - it will be SUCH an awesome show!
Ashley F. says
I think we were separated at birth - seriously. I saw Crystal Castles a little while ago at First Ave in Minneapolis and they rocked my socks off!
I've only recently grown to enjoy tahini, so I'll have to give these a shot!
spabettie says
YES - that is some GREAT music! if Bassnectar ever comes through your area, you should go!
Jojo says
Your shortbread bars look awesome, I really need to try tahini in baked goods soon.
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Love that feeling of the bass! It's been a long time since we've been to a show. Sounds like a great night. And that cookie/bar? Yum. Love the idea of that tahini layer
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I looooove tahini and chocolate! I made similarly flavored truffles from some one's blog (was it yours?) last winter. They were scary-good.
You should go see my sister play in Portland!!! Shameless plug (but they really are good!): https://www.facebook.com/GooseAndFox
spabettie says
oooh, very cool, I will make a point to go see their show - (I just 'liked' their facebook page, and one of my local friends likes them too!) thanks for sharing - I'll let you know when I see them!
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
Bassnectar has an awesome show, right? I first saw him on the top floor of a golf dome that fit oh, maybe 100 people but we had stuffed over 400 people in the space. It was ridiculous. I've never been so sweaty and pumped up with music in my life. Ah! It was amazing.... and so are these bars!
spabettie says
such an awesome show - I have seen him several times, this was BY FAR the best! he was here last May and it was a much smaller venue - this time was in a place double the size and the sound was incredible!