This is my first Halloween type post. The excitement for Halloween literally has me running around like a toddler high on pop rocks and pixie sticks.
I discovered candy corn in High School.
Yes, that late.
Can you help clear the candy corn air for me, please?! It seems to me like everyone hates this stuff!!!!! What gives?
I came across an article waxing poetic about the author's (and everyone's) detestation of the adorable little candies. WHY DO YOU HATE THE CANDY, INTERNET? WHY!?
The first time I had it my pupils dilated (okay maybe that was just all the sugar...) and I fell in love. Every year I buy a big bag of the sugary stuff. But then again, I adore all things Fall and Halloween since as long as I can remember.
These sweet treats have little to do with the candy so many find repugnant ... other than that classic colour scheme!
EEEEEEPPPPP!
THE KYOOT!!!!!
These little squares were a big hit in my house. Topped with little candy corns they were just too cute not to love. Sweet with a big orange creamy punch and soft chewy texture!
Better yet, aside from the colouring, they are pretty darn healthy too!
You can of course, omit the colours and flavours but they...are......soo...ADORABLE!
So if you love orange creamsicle/ orange citrus flavoured things or just love moist and sweet delicious little treats...you will love this!
Plus they are no bake! Which is always nice, right? Especially if you live in Canada right now where the weather is either -10 or +25.
So let's make SQUARES!
Citrus 'Candy Corn' Squares
Yields 16 squares
Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 cup brown rice protein (I used vanilla SunWarrior)
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut
- Zest of 1 orange
- Juice of 1/2 orange
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup non-dairy milk to thin dough
- 1/2 cup liquid sweetener (honey, agave, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, etc)
- 1/2 cup nut butter of choice
- Optional for 'candy corn' effect: 2-3 drops each yellow and orange food colour
For Orange Cream Layer
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup cream cheese or non-dairy* version, softened
- 3-4 tablespoons white chocolate, melted
- Optional for 'creamsicle' flavour: 1 Duncan Hines Frosting Creations in 'Orange Cream' (these are very low calorie and mostly just flavour! I wanted to give them a go! You may choose to just use orange extract but these are what made this layer orange!)
*Daiya makes a vegan cream cheese substitute! They even have a strawberry flavour!
White Layer {Two Options}
- First option: If you don't use the flavour creations your frosting will be white and you have your design all finished!
- Second: If you use the flavour creations your frosting is orange and you can use 1 cup of whipped topping to decorate instead
*Baker's Note: I didn't realize the frosting creations were colourful! I intended my cream cheese layer to be the white part of the 'candy corn' squares so last minute I added the whipped cream option instead so I had the 'candy corn' colours still.
If you look at the images you can see the orange layer of the bar and an additional orange layer which is the frosting. Hopefully that helps clarify!
If you have the same issue and want a traditional 'candy corn' design you can add the whipped cream! I liked the addition even if it was by mistake!
If you look at the images you can see the orange layer of the bar and an additional orange layer which is the frosting. Hopefully that helps clarify!
If you have the same issue and want a traditional 'candy corn' design you can add the whipped cream! I liked the addition even if it was by mistake!
If you omit the flavour creations because you don't want them or can't find them your cream cheese/frosting layer will be white and the whipped cream addition is up to you.
Directions:
- Combine all dry ingredients for the squares in a large mixing bowl
- Heat the nut butter/sweetner mixture in a small saucepan until fully combined and pour wet mixture onto dry
- Use almond milk to help the dough come together
- Split dough in half, dying one half yellow and the other orange, mixing with your hands to combine each colour kneading the colour in much like you would knead a dough (wash your hands in between or use gloves!)
- In an 8x8 pan lined with aluminum or plastic wrap -- press the yellow layer down ensuring it is even
- Repeat with the orange layer and place in the fridge to set while you prepare the orange cream layer
- For Orange Cream: Combine all ingredients until mixed thoroughly
- Once base has cooled, top with Orange Cream layer by spreading it evenly over base layers
- Optional: If your Orange Cream layer is white you can end here and finish these off by pressing candy corns into the top layer
- If Orange Cream Layer is orange as mine was (accidentally!) you can top the squares with whipped cream to get the desired effect
- Once top layer is cool cut into 16 bars
- Keep uneaten portions refrigerated
It sounds like a lot....I know. And as you can tell I went with the option of adding the whipped cream. It's soooo worth it, I promise.
I love the little poofs on top. If you don't eat dairy or cannot have dairy there are rice and soy based 'whipped cream' products too! And vegan cream cheese. Because no matter what -- you need to try these!
They would be so cute on a Halloween table!
They would also be so cute......in my belly.
He he....Oops?
You know I cannot resist. And these are indeed irresistible! They taste even better after a day in the fridge because that citrus flavour just gets better and better! I even liked the whipped cream addition despite that being a mistake. Next time I make these I will make the mistake on purpose ;)
To be real. You know, like how the kids on the street keep it? I don't really love citrus desserts. Maybe lemon squares but that's about it. I LIKE all desserts, but citrus just isn't my favourite.
I ate so many of these....I literally kept taking small pieces and putting them in the fridge and then walking back and forth to the kitchen eating more and more small morsels as I went.
I could not believe it. They even won ME over. Chocolate lovin' little old me!
Don't worry though -- this makes plenty to share, too! So you don't have to feel bad when you eat....three. In a row.
I really hope you give these a shot and let me know how it goes!
Happy Candy Cornin'!
Yummy!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey are so yummy! Thank you for your comment :)
DeleteHow cute are these little candy corn squares! Perfect for halloween.. great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Thalia! I love Halloween soooo much! So many options!
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