No Bake Margarita Bars (Vegan, Paleo)

These no bake margarita bars are so creamy and citrusy with a salted crust, absolutely perfect for spring and summer! These no bake margarita bars are vegan and paleo, too, making them a light but totally satisfying healthy dessert. If you're looking for a stunning vegan no bake dessert or no bake paleo dessert, these no bake margarita bars are totally it!

Ingredients

Salted Crust Layer

• 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut plus 1/4 cup for garnish
• 1 cups raw cashews toasted
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3/4 tsp coarse salt

Creamy Lime Layer

• 1 1/2 cups raw cashews soaked for 1 hour
• 3/4 cup coconut oil melted, refined or unrefined is fine - refined will taste more coconutty
• 3/4 cup coconut cream
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 2 tablespoons lime zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon tequila optional
• pinch of salt or more to taste

Whipped Coconut Cream

• Scant cup coconut cream chilled at least 2 hours
• 1 teaspoon light coconut sugar or honey
• Garnish
• 1/4 cup toasted coconut
• lime wedges

Instructions

1. Toast the cashews: in a dry skillet over medium heat, place a single layer of the raw cashews. Toast, shaking occasionally, about 5 minutes or until golden on both sides. The cashews will begin to smell nutty. Remove from pan and set aside. Return pan to stove and place 3/4 cup coconut in skillet. Toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown, a few minutes. Remove from pan and let cool. Toast remaining 1/4 cup coconut for garnish and set aside.
2. Add all crust ingredients to a blender or food processor and process until uniform and crumbly. Press mixture into the bottom of a parchment-lined 8x8" baking pan. Place pan in freezer (or refrigerator) while you make the creamy lime layer.
3. Add all creamy lime layer ingredients to a high-speed blender and process until very, very smooth. Pour over chilled crust layer and chill at least 4-5 hours.
4. Make the whipped coconut cream: Chill a metal mixing bowl and beaters at least 1 hour.
5. 
   
6. Place chilled coconut cream in chilled mixing bowl. Beat coconut cream with an electric mixer using chilled beaters on medium speed. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form, about 5-7 minutes. Add in coconut sugar or honey and beat on medium speed until well incorporated.
7. To serve: cut chilled bars into equal squares. Top with a dollop of coconut cream, a sprinkle of toasted coconut, and press a lime wedge into the side of the coconut cream.

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Prep Time : 4 hours 20 minutes

 Total Time : 4 hours 20 minutes

 Servings  : 9