Raw Mint-Chocolate Cream Bars

Thanks to my friend Jess A. for this recipe!  It is my new obsession!
Ingredients:

CRUST

* 3/4 cup almonds

* 5 dates, pitted

* 10 prunes (or more dates, if preferred–replace 2 prunes with 1 date)

* 2 tsp vanilla extract

* 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (raw cacao powder if you have it)

* pinch sea salt

FILLING

* 1 1/2 cups soaked cashews

* 1 cup almond milk

* 1/2 cup agave nectar (or honey)

* 1 tsp mint extract

* 1 tbsp vanilla extract

* 1 tsp xanthan gum (I didn't use)

* pinch sea salt

* 1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach

* 1/2 cup coconut oil

* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (raw cacao powder if you have it)

Directions:

1. Lightly oil a square baking dish (8″x8″ or so). Set aside.

2. Combine all CRUST ingredients in a food processor and pulse/blend until crumbly, but sticky enough to stay put when pressed against the side of the work bowl.

3. Empty crust mixture into the baking dish and press evenly onto the bottom. Set aside.


4. Combine all FILLING ingredients EXCEPT coconut oil and cocoa powder in a blender and blend smooth. Add coconut oil and blend again. This should yield about 4 cups of cream filling.

5. Pour half of the filling mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly across the crust layer. Place baking dish in the freezer and allow to freeze until firm to the touch (probably at least an hour or so).

6. Meanwhile, re-blend the remaining filling with the cocoa powder. Add a drizzle of water to thin, if necessary. I probably added nearly 1/4 cup water to get the texture similar to the pre-cocoa consistency.

7. Once the green layer has hardened in the baking dish, pour the remaining, chocolate-ized filling overtop, creating a new brown layer.

8. Freeze again until firm to the touch. Cut into small rectangles and serve. Store in the refrigerator (or keep in freezer for more of an ice cream cake effect).