No-Bake Chocolate Cashew Crack Bars

The weather is getting hot, hot, hot in Austin already, and it immediately reminds me why I avoid turning on my oven in the summer here. For those feeling the same, fear not. Just because you might avoid baking for the next few months doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all of the treats you love!

The secret? NO BAKE! Not only are these type of recipes incredibly convenient, but they also take no time and very little effort to throw together. A win-win if you ask me.

For this oven-less recipe, I was inspired by one of my favorite combinations – chocolate and cashews. My love for chocolate needs no explanation, but cashews are a nut that I’ve grown to love more and more over time. If you’re on the same page, you can check out more ways to put these tasty nuts to use here:

• Golden Milk Cashew Butter
• Caro’s No-Bake Cookies
• Chocolate Cherry Energy Balls
• Snickerdoodle Snowballs
• Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
• Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Not only do cashews lend themselves well to both sweet and savory dishes (like the pasta recipes above), but they’re also a nutritious addition to your diet. Cashews are rich in protein, healthy fats and antioxidants such as polyphenols to help reduce cholesterol, prevent heart disease and stroke and strengthen bones.

Cashew butter is another way I enjoy these nutrient-dense babies, especially in dressings, sauces and baked goods. Georgia Grinders makes my favorite, and you can use my code GOODNESSWITHG for 20% off!

Another ingredient I love in this recipe is the collagen peptides. Though this addition is completely optional, it’s the perfect way to sneak some extra protein into these bars. Plus, consuming collagen is a great way to boost the health of your hair, skin and nails as well as protect your joints (which I’m always looking for as a runner).

My Pistachio Chocolate Collagen Protein Balls and Lemon Coconut Collagen Bites are other yummy ways to enjoy this ingredient as well! And if you’re looking for a brand to get you started on the collagen trend, I love Ancient Nutrition where you can use my code goodness_with_g for 20% off.

Once you combine these staples with a few others like almond flour, maple syrup and vanilla, you’ll press the mixture into a loaf pan to create your shape. Then top it off with the chocolate layer that makes these bars even dreamier. I personally use and love Lily’s Sweets Baking Chips as they’re vegan and stevia-sweetened, but whatever you have in your pantry is great.

And the best part? You just have to place your bars in the freezer to set up before slicing and enjoying. It’s that simple!

I’ve been enjoying these as a nightly sweet treat, and they’d be the perfect dessert to whip up for any and all occasions this summer (or any time of year, really  ).

Give me a shout if you give these delicious, no-bake bars a try!