This Ain’t No Motel Six
We’ve got clean sheets,
(although they come from a laundry pile so big, it attacks)
and a capable staff.
There’s live entertainment,
and fresh baked cookies.
Vegan Almond Joy Cookie Bars
- 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 t. baking soda
- 3/4 t. salt
- 1/2 c. shredded coconut
- 1/2 c. oats
- 1/2 c. chopped almonds
- 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 c. organic sugar
- 1/2 c. NuNaturals Stevia Baking Blend (or just use 3/4 c. total of organic sugar)
- 1/4 c. almond butter
- 1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 t. almond extract
- 1/4 t. coconut extract
- 2 T. agave
- ~2 T. almond milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8X8 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, coconut, oats, almonds and chocolate chips.
In a smaller bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Add wet mixture to dry and stir until combined. If mixture is too dry, add a splash more almond milk.
Spread dough into bottom of pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until set and golden brown around edges.
Let cool before cutting into bars.
We offer homemade vegan and high raw meals in our dining room.
- spiralized zucchini, carrots, olives and broccoli, tossed in a lime/stevia/cinnamon viniagrette
- Spanish quinoa (recipe follows)
Spanish Quinoa
- 1/2 c. dry quinoa
- 2 T. chopped onion
- 1 c. vegetable broth
- 1/4 c. tomato sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 t. chili powder
Toast quinoa in bottom of a saucepan over medium heat.
Add chopped onion and saute for a few minutes. Add broth, sauce and spices and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Fluff with a fork and serve (I’m not usually a huge quinoa fan, but this is my favorite way I’ve ever had it. It tasted just like Spanish rice).
After dinner, we host puzzle tournaments
and bedtime stories in the lobby.
Sure you might see some shady characters or ladies of the night in tutus or too tight, too short designer dresses, but they are just part of the ambiance that makes our place so unique.
This ain’t no Motel Six, but we’ll leave the light on for you.
I’m going to go make those delectable little bars while the snow plow mosies (is that the correct spelling? is there a correct spelling for it? my computer thinks not) around outside my window for the next few hourssss.
Your cookie bars look SO good! I used to love almond joys when I was younger
This is SO cute…
You have no idea how much I wish I could try your cookie bars but somehow I just know they won’t be the same with gluten-free flour!!
Dang,
3 others beat me to being the 1st post ;O)
You see how popular you are huh? It’s like our daily news. What the heck is going on with the peas?
I will make a reservation even though I see you employ doll labor. I’ll let it pass this one time. :s
Hey! Just began reading your blog a few weeks ago, you have one of the best writing voices i have ever read! Very creative and inspiring. Your posts are so funny and the food looks great (obviously) as well!
Did you take your Highly Creative & Amazing Eats Pills over the weekend b/c between the Vegan Choc Chip cookies and now the Vegan Almond Joy Cookie Bars!!!!! you’re rockin out the goodies left and vegan right!!!!!
The quinoa and brock of course look delightful, too!
But I remember when i read that post of yours that said you werent gonna post Hugh Jass’ and recycled eats. I was kinda thinking, ok HOW is she going to pull that off??! Now I know, it’s those Highly Creative Pills you have a stash of. Could I have a handful?! Aside from Raw Balls and salad dressings recipes, I am feeling a little humdrum.
But now that I know we’re the same height, I need to plan a clothing/food/yoga/horrific motherhood story exchange with you
We are officially potty learning ’round here. More than you need to know. But I am always up for tips and techniques from an old pro!!!
xoxo
those bars look amazing! My laundry pile pretty much looks the same right now!
I’m drooling over those cookies. They look incredible.
Awwww staying at your place would be fun!!! The girls are too cute and would entertain for hours Im sure!!! Your salads always look amazing to me, quinoa rocks!!!
Have a great day!!!
The vegan almond joy cookie bars sound fantastic!
Love it. Quinoa is nice stuff. Do you eat your baked goodies? I love how the chocolate is melting out like that…they look terrific!
Hope you and your little “maids” have a nice day
Your kids are so cute!! And that Spanish quinoa looks delicious! I think I might try it soon!
I’d visit any motel that served cookies looking that delicious…no matter how shady!!!
hey i’d love to be a guest at your motel! got room for me and a peanut?!
love the idea for the spanish quinoa, i <3 spanish rice, food, anything spanish.. i'll have to give that a try, seems like it would be healthier than my Goya rice mixes
That’s such a good way to make quinoa! Also those bars look TOO good.
I’m booking a stay. The puzzle competitions are calling my name.
Spanish quinoa.. I added it to my recipe book because it looked delish!!
Thanks for sharing those awesome recipes, I can’t wait to try them! Everything I’ve made from your recipes has been GREAT
lol– that last picture cracks me up! Mmmm…those vegan almond joy bars sound to die for!
what’s the nightly rate and when can i come over?
i’ll bring my dehydrator and can trade out for ballet lessons
love the idea for the quinoa- just bought some yesterday and might have to try your recipe tonight!
have a great day <3
Where do I start!? Those bars look sooo good. Do you think I could sub peanut butter? I don’t usually buy AB. And I don’t really like quinoa either! But Spanish rice is tasty! ;> I like how you allowed Gracie’s doll to assist with the baking. I can’t wait to have a little girl for my husband to read to! So sweet!
I’ll have to look into booking a room, looks like quite the place!
This post has me drooling! I can NOT wait to make those bars and the quinoa. Yum!
And that last photo of Lulu made me laugh out loud. Which got me the stink eye at work, for laughing out of the blue.
I would stay at Hotel Pea anytime! Especially if I was served those bars and Spanish Quinoa!
mmm, those bars look yummy!! I think this is exactly what I’m making this weekend for the Husband and kids.
Your girls are awesome!! I love seeing kids that are full of imagination and creativity and you can tell they are 100% Good job Mom!! !:)
Those chocolate chip thingies look amazing, I might have to to make them asap!!
Almond joyalike bars? Yes, please! That quinoa looks very, very good, too!
Those cookie bars looks amazing! As does the quinoa recipe. I wonder if I can get my meat and potatoes husband to eat quinoa.
Mmmmm…those cookies look amazing!! Have any vacancies??
Put my reservation under Randall! King size bed please, and thank you…
I am so making those bars!!! Oh Man, do I love me an Almond Joy bar.
Have to avoid them this week, as well as any other snacks, as my Sis’s wedding is this weekend. Must fit into freshly altered dress. Cannot fluctuate by an ounce, so everything strictly regulated… :p
Thank God for Spanx…
Have an awesome, laundry tumblin, vegan cookin’, baby-huggin day Mama Pea!!! Lots of love to you guys !!!!
Adorable pics!!! And those bars look amazing!
Love your blog…I just found it and am very glad I did!
Oh my goodness. I love that last picture of Lulu… ADORABLE!
Oh oh OH, I want those bars! Did you use sweetened or unsweetend coconut?
Hey Katie, I used unsweetened, but you could use either. Our batch is already 3/4ths of the way gone. You should definitely make these!
Those cookies look amazing! And I don’t even like coconut!
precious, precious, precious!
Lulu cracked me UP! I love reading your posts! So awesome
Your girls are adorable! Looks like so much fun
Happy anniversary, your cookies look awesome! And your kids are just too cute.
*Check out my yoga mat bag giveaway going on now*
Thanks for making me smile again Sarah.. this was warm and cozy post. ..:)
Those bars look incredible! I should make them for my mom who loves coconut things.
I made your bars last night and they were incredible tasting. Thank you for sharing your recipe. My husband even loved them.
I made the bars and the quinoa. WOW! Thanks! I normally don’t LOVE quinoa but, this was really great and covered the quinoa’s distinct flavor. The bars were the hugest hit in my house and my 4 year old son said let’s go back to those vegan peoples website to make more stuff
Oh my gosh, I LOVE it! This seriously made my day. “Those vegan peoples website!!!” I may just change the name of my blog.
Oh heavens I have GOT to make those bars! They look incredible!! Quick question: Can you find ww pastry flour at your average grocery store or do I need to go to the health food store?
LJ, I find it in the bulk section of my grocery store, so yours may or may not have it. If not, Whole Foods, health food stores and most natural foods sections have it!
Oh my, I am hooked! I made these last week (only sub was regular whole wheat flour) and they were fabulous. They’re long gone, but their memory lives on because I’ve been incorporating the whole almond butter/coconut/chopped almonds/chocolate chips thing into oatmeal and pancakes. Time for another batch..
I just made this & mentioned you in my post about it – so good!
mama pea! how many does the spanish quinoa serve? i made your recipe tonight, but it seemed to be less than I expected (it served about 2)
I just made these today. Wow!