Healthier Cookie Dough Bars

Rediscover your love for baking with these healthier cookie dough bars. Simple and made with better-for-you ingredients to satisfy sweet cravings guilt-free.

If you’re like me, you probably remember a time when the kitchen was your happy place—a space where you could lose yourself in the rhythm of stirring, mixing, and tasting. I used to love cooking and baking. Creating something from scratch, the aroma filling the house, the satisfaction of a perfect bake—it was pure joy. But lately, I’ve found myself in a bit of a funk. The passion that once had me experimenting with new recipes and spending hours in the kitchen has waned. Life gets busy, and sometimes the things we love fall by the wayside.

But I’ve realized that it’s time to change that. I want to start cooking and baking again because, honestly, I miss it. The creativity, the comfort, and the delicious results are something I miss. I also want to try and share new and old recipes as I embark on this journey. Sometimes all it takes is one recipe to jump-start that love for cooking and baking again. So, what better way to ease back into it than with a recipe that’s not only indulgent but also a bit healthier? Enter these Healthier Cookie Dough Bars—a sweet treat that’s simple to make and perfect for reigniting that kitchen spark.

Why Healthier Cookie Dough Bars?

Cookie dough has always been a guilty pleasure for many of us, but traditional recipes can be loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats. I wanted to create something that satisfies those cookie dough cravings without the guilt. These bars are made with better-for-you ingredients like almond flour, coconut oil, and dark chocolate. They’re naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, making them a great option when you want something sweet but are mindful of what you’re putting into your body.

Ingredients

Cookie Base

• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup melted and cooled coconut oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup almond flour (when I added more to this, we all thought it had too much of a grainy texture)
• Handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Chocolate Top

• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tsp. coconut oil

Instructions

1. Prep the Ingredients: Start by gathering all your ingredients. It helps to have everything measured out before you begin.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, cooled coconut oil, and vanilla. Stir until well mixed.
3. Add the Flour: Add the flour. Stir until the mixture comes together to form a dough. If you want to add more flour, you can. 
4. Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the handful of chocolate chips into the dough. Make sure they’re evenly distributed.
5. Press Into a Pan: Line with parchment paper or spray a 9×11 inch baking pan. I wanted the bars on the thinner side. Press the dough into the pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
6. Prepare the Chocolate Topping: Combine the 3/4 cup chocolate chips and 2 tsp. coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Put in microwave on 30 seconds increments (stir after each 30 seconds) until it is melted.
7. Spread the Chocolate Topping: Spread the melted chocolate over the bars. You could add a topping to the chocolate if you like. 
8. Chill: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the dough has set and is firm to the touch.
9. Slice and Serve: Once set, remove the dough from the pan and slice it into bars. Enjoy them straight from the fridge for a cool, refreshing treat!

I am always trying to find recipes that are on the healthier side. Matt LOVES chocolate chip cookie dough. When I had him try this, he said it wasn’t as good as the “real stuff”. Landen liked them. We all didn’t like the grainy texture of the almond flour. Maybe you can give me a tip on that. Regular flour would work too and Matt probably would have liked it more. I think it was mainly the texture thing for him. 

A Step Toward Rediscovery

Making these Healthier Cookie Dough Bars was a small step toward rediscovering my love for baking. These bars are a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one simple recipe to reignite that spark.

As I continue on this journey, I’m excited to try and share new and old recipes that have brought me joy over the years. I hope these recipes will inspire you to jump-start your love for cooking and baking too. Here’s to getting back into the kitchen and rediscovering the joy of cooking and baking, one recipe at a time.