Chocolate Peanut Date Bars (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Here's a satisfying chocolatey summer treat that you won't need to turn the oven on for! (original recipe from the Half Baked Harvest blog: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/super-healthy-peanut-butter-date-special-k-bars/) Recipe: 1 1/2 cups packed, pitted dates (you can soak in warm water if they are too hard) Pinch of sea salt 1 1/2 cups all-natural peanut butter, room temperature 1/2 cup coconut milk, room temperature (add more if needed) 2 teaspoons pure vanilla 6-7 cups gluten-free Chex cereal 1 1/2 cups vegan chocolate chips (or 1 - 283g bag of Enjoy Life chocolate chips) In a Vitamix/food processor/blender, puree dates and sea salt until smooth. Add peanut butter, coconut milk and vanilla. Continue pureeing until smooth. If your blender is struggling, add more coconut milk, one tablespoon at a time. You can also microwave the peanut mixture to help it become more creamy. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter/date mixture with the Chex cereal. Get your hands in there, it helps! Spread the mixture In a rectangular baking pan lined with parchment paper and press down firmly until even. In a small pot over low/medium heat, melt the chocolate chips. Pour the melted chocolate over the Chex base and evenly spread. (Optional: top with sea salt). Cool in the fridge until the chocolate is set. Cut into squares and enjoy! Store bars in an air-tight container in the fridge. *Note: When I cut the sides of the bars off or had extra pieces that had fallen, I rolled them it balls! Enjoy and cheers to living free :)