The perfect treat for all your Halloween festivities!
Course Dessert
Servings 182-bite treats, or cut into less, larger sized treats
Author Tiffani Wells
Ingredients
For the crust...
3/4cupraw almonds
3/4cuppitted dates
2Tbspnon-dairy chocolate chipsensure soy-free, if needed
For the filling...
1 1/2 cupsraw cashewssoaked overnight, or for at least 4 hours (overnight is needed if not using a high-speed blender)
orange rind, gratedfrom 1 orange
1/2cupfreshly squeezed orange juice(1 - 2 oranges will be needed, don't add sugar!)
1/2cupcoconut creamrefrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk for 24 hours — the solid part is the cream (do not use the liquid, save for smoothies)
1/4cupcoconut oil
2Tbsp blue agave syrupor more to taste
3/4tsporange extract, or to taste
1/2tspvanilla extract
vegan orange food coloring, as needed (optional)The dessert will be slighlty orange without but not by much. This of course isn't necessary for the flavor, only for visual purposes.
For the chocolate topping...
1/2cupnon-dairy chocolate chipsensure soy-free, if needed
1 Tbsp + 1 tspunsweetened non-dairy milk
2tsppure maple syrup
Instructions
Add all crust ingredients to the food processor, fitted with an s-blade. Mix on high until almonds are chopped fine and a dough can be formed when the mixture is pressed between two fingers.
LIne a 9" x 5" loaf pan with parchment paper. Press the "dough" out evenly to cover the bottom of the pan. Place in the freezer.
Add all filling ingredients, except for the food coloring, into your blender. Blend on high until the ingredients are combined and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. Taste and add more agave or orange extract if desired.
If using, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time, until your desired color has been reached.
Remove the loaf pan from the freezer. Pour the filling over the crust. Shake or smooth to form an even top. Add the loaf pan back to the freezer and freeze overnight or serveral hours until completely frozen.
When ready to finish, remove the loaf pan from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 45 minutes to one hour. Pull along the sides of the parchment paper to lift the Orange Treat Scares block from the loaf pan. Place onto a cutting board and carefully cut into desired sized squares or bars (I do 18 2-bite squares). Transfer the board of treats into the refrigerator.
Add water to the bottom pot of a double boiler and bring to a boil. Add all topping ingredients to the top pot and turn heat down to low. Whisk constantly until ingredients are combined and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for one to two minutes.
If desired, transfer chocolate topping into a squirt bottle or pastry bag (with a fine tip) to decorate Scares. Alternatively, you can use a small spoon and/or toothpicks to decorate. Draw spiders, webs, bats, or decorative squiggles. Place Scares in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened. Serve or *store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Notes
*These Orange Dream Scares get soft quickly when out of refrigeration.