Knock-Off Reeses Peanut-Butter No Bake Bars (and NO peanuts!

Ingredients
1 cup coconut oil (melted)
2 cups Almond Meal (I used Trader Joes)
1/4 cup sucanat
1 cup Xylitol + 1 tbsp of arrowroot, tapioca or corn starch (You'll blend this to make powdered sugar.  I like arrowroot)
1 cup almond butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup of ground flaxseed
2-2 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
**Optional:  honey, agave, or maple syrup if you need your almond butter mixture sweeter.
Instructions



1.  FIRST, let's make our "powdered sugar".  Place the xylitol and the arrowroot powder in a blender and blend until it is the consistency of powdered sugar.  
2.  Combine all ingredients, except chocolate chips in a medium sized bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.  TASTE AND ADJUST SWEETNESS.  I do NOT like overly sweet desserts.  If you want yours sweeter, add another 1/4 cup of sucanat OR you could add 1-2 tbsp of honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup.  
3.  Pour peanut butter mixture into a lightly greased or parchment lined 9x13 pan.  Place in freezer while you make the chocolate topping.  (leave in freezer for about 10 minutes)
4.  Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (at 50% power) for 1-2 minutes. Stir chocolate and continue melting in 1 mintue increments until it is smooth.  Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate over the solid almond butter mixture.  To even out chocolate, tap pan on the counter.
5.  Refrigerate bars for one hour. Cut while bars are still cool. Enjoy!

XYLITOL:  WHAT IS IT?  For more info on this wonderful natural sweetner, click HERE.  

WHERE DO I BUY IT?  You'll have to go to a Whole Foods or Natures Pantry.  You can also order it online off sites like vitacost or amazon.  I buy mine at a local amish market.  I really ONLY USE IT WHEN A RECIPE CALLS FOR POWDERED SUGAR.  Combined w/ a starch, it makes an excellent, natural replacement to refined sugar.