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
Jenn says
I've never had tahini but these look so delicious that I just might have to try this!
spabettie says
well Jenn you must try tahini, it is delicious! and it pairs well with chocolate, so I hope you enjoy these!
Mom Foodie says
Love it. I always hesitate to buy tahini since it comes in a large container & I usually end out tossing 1/2 of it from going rancid. These look like a wonderful way to use it before it gets funky 😀
Sondi says
I love tahini in baked goods. I'm not a big fan of earth balance, though, I wonder if I could replace it with coconut oil?
spabettie says
Sondi, I have never used coconut oil with this particular recipe, so I'm not sure of the resulting consistency (of the cookie). Let me know if you do try?
Matt mmWine Horbund says
My son, 13, got me into DubStep. He would love to go, but he's a bit young 🙂 we do listen to a bit of Loren's work, plus of course Skrillix
Cheers
spabettie says
Skrillix is good too... fun music!
Bee (@TheSpicyBee) says
These look so much easier than I expected them to be! I will have to try this recipe out sometime. I just created a GF flour mix after a trip to Bob's Redmill and I'm interested to see how versatile it is.
spabettie says
it is very easy, just a few steps... what types of flours went into your mix? I haven't done that, I just mix things together on a recipe by recipe basis.
Bee says
I don't follow it to the tee but I have been using this recipe: http://onlysometimesclever.wordpress.com/2008/07/31/best-gluten-free-flour-mix-ever/
Leah says
Yum, these look great! I have never used tahini in a dessert, must try!
spabettie says
thanks, Leah! tahini works really well here - it helps that I LOVE tahini!
purelytwins says
girl you had as at chocolate and tahini! looks amazing!!!!!!!!
spabettie says
thank you!
Macey says
Oooh, I haven't heard of these guys, but if they play Burning Man, then I'm sure they right up my alley! I'll definitely be checking them out! I'm getting the distinct feeling that we would be good friends 🙂
spabettie says
I love that you said that - I am getting that feeling too! 🙂 we just need to get together already! 😉
Sharon @ Bit of the Good Stuff says
Happy Halloweeeeen to you toooooo!!!
OMG your chocolate tahini shortbread bars look AMAZING! My idea of treat heaven! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. I can't wait to give them a try.
Beautiful pics too 🙂 xx
spabettie says
you are very welcome, Sharon - I hope you do make these - enjoy!
recipeland says
Chocolate tahini and shortbread bars sound insanely delicious, love tahini and chocolate. Will have to get some tahini, and give these decadent bars a try 🙂