VEGAN VANILLA PECAN BARS
If vanilla cake and pecan pie had a baby, these would be the product. Imagine a moist, gooey bar that tastes like a vanilla buttery cake, but the texture of a gooey pecan pie and is all topped off with a creamy cashew icing. These are your way to break into Spring.
My daughter repeatedly kept saying “Mommy, these are sooo delicious!” over and over. I knew they were a winner. These bars are raw, gooey, moist, dense and just 8 ingredients. They are full of vanilla flavor, hints of caramel from coconut sugar and a butteriness from pecans. The cashews make them taste super creamy. I also add an odd ingredient, apple juice. It helps to balance out the flavors with a little acidity and aid in the vanilla cake-ish flavor.
They are more firm than they appear in the photos, as these sat out awhile and they soften some at room temperature. Keep them in the freezer for a perfect, firm right-out-of-the-freezer bite full of all your gooey vanilla dreams.
Coconut sugar. How I love you. It is my favorite sweetener that I use. It tastes just like caramel and is not heavily processed like regular sugar and is much lower on the glycemic index than cane sugar and even maple syrup. I love maple syrup and use it a lot in my baking, but I’ve actually started using coconut sugar more. It just makes everything taste better. Obviously, it is still sugar, so I would never call a sugar healthy, unless it is fruit, but it is one of the better ones to use out there.
There is coconut sugar in the bars and then some sprinkled on top of the icing and it’s truly delicious.
VEGAN VANILLA PROTEIN POWDER
I created these bars to feature Sprout Living‘s “Vanilla Lucuma” Epic protein powder. They recently asked me to review some of their new and improved flavors and I couldn’t resist trying them. I have used their products in the past and know them to be top notch among other plant-based proteins/products out there.
Most people think of smoothies when it comes to protein powders, but I wanted to share something a bit more exciting, so these vegan Raw Vanilla Pecan Dream Bars were born.
All of their products are some of the cleanest you can find, which is why I support them. Not to mention, they are the best tasting plant protein powder I have ever tried in my life. The “Vanilla Lucuma” is my absolute favorite and it tastes and smells delicious straight out of the bag, seriously. I’ve mentioned this a few times before on the blog. This is the same flavor I used for my Snickerdoodle Cookie Protein Bites.
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave feedback below and share your pic on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thevegan8 #thevegan8!
Vegan Vanilla Pecan Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup (100g) certified gluten-free rolled oats, not instant
- 1/2 cup (56g) pecan pieces
- 1/4 cup (40g) coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoons Sprout Living "Vanilla Lucuma" Epic protein powder (SEE NOTE below to sub)
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup (64g) super smooth cashew butter, slightly warmed to a soft liquid if it is hard or from the fridge
- 2 tablespoons (40g) pure maple syrup or agave
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsweetened apple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cashew Icing
- 3 tablespoons (48g) raw cashew butter (without added oil or sugar)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (30g) pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon (15g) unsweetened apple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
NOTE
- I know some of my readers do not use protein powders, so if you still want to make the recipe, you can leave it out and just add 2-3 more tablespoons of oats and an extra tablespoon of coconut sugar (since the protein powder provides sweetness). The flavor will change slightly and be less vanilla-ish, but still delicious.
Instructions
- Add the oats to a food processor and process until a fine flour forms. Add the pecans and coconut sugar and process again until it is finely ground.
- Add the protein powder and salt and process once more until just blended.
- Add the cashew butter, syrup, apple juice and vanilla extract to a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour over the dry ingredients into the food processor. Process until it all comes together in one large bowl and is chunky. As soon as it does this, stop so it doesn't turn into a butter.
- Line a 9x5 loaf pan with plastic wrap (or use a smaller one for thicker bars) and press the mixture out evenly to the corners. Flatten with a spatula.
- Combine the cashew icing ingredients and spread out over the bars. Sprinkle coconut sugar over the top. Place in the freezer until firm and set. Cut into 8 bars. Keep them stored in the freezer or fridge. The icing will be softer in the fridge and I prefer the texture from the freezer. If you leave them out for an extended period of time at room temperature, they will soften more.
I’ve made these several times now. My most favorite dessert. Although Sun Warrior Vegan Vanilla Protein powder is good, the Epic brand blows it out of the water! I just ordered it, and yes, you are right. It is superior. Today, I made another batch, and to my horror, discovered I only had enuf cashew butter for the frosting, so I sub’d Almond Butter in the bars. Although still good, the almond flavor overpowers the pecan, which was disappointing to me. Just wanted to give you some feedback on my experience. Don’t worry, I’ll eat them, ha ha!!! Thank you again for all your recipes. I have NEVER been disappointed!
Wow, I am so happy to hear that Carol!! So glad this is your favorite dessert and thank you so much for letting me know. I agree, Epic Protein is by far the best taste and quality! It tastes so good. Good to know about the almond butter. I love almond butter, but I chose cashew butter because it has a sweet flavor to it and I thought it would lend that vanilla cake-ish flavor best. So glad you love these!
I’m a chocoholic, but these are absolutely fabulous. No chocolate needed with these babies! Made it with the extra oat flour and coconut sugar. Added just a little bit extra vanilla as well. And I used steel cut oats because I have some I need to use up (discovered they don’t do well as overnight oats)—blended them to flour in the BlendTec. Once again, a fantastic recipe. You have an uncanny ability to zero on exactly what is needed for maximum flavor while preserving some reasonable nutrition integrity! I gave this recipe 5 stars—wish there was an option for more!
Oh, I’m so happy to hear this Ellen! Thank you so much for such a kind compliment and amazing review! I’m so glad to hear you used my extra oat flour and coconut sugar alternative if not using the protein powder!
Thank you so much again for rating the recipe!
Oh, Brandi, these look absolutely amazing! Thanks for posting these “babies” on Instagram and linking to your amazing blog 🙂
Seriously…what is inside your brain that can come up with consistently delicious foods one after another??? I made these tonight and while they are no where near as pretty as yours, they are absolutely delicious. I didn’t have vanilla protein so I used a sort of plain one with Lucuma..but man oh man I’m gonna have to make more so I never run out. Home run! Can’t wait to make these for the family at holidays!!
Hi Brandi, these little gems r delicious! As always, I can’t go wrong with ur recipes, ur hard work and dedication pays off . . . for me. Thanks again. 😋