Last week I took part in the World's biggest Coffee Morning,  this particular one was hosted by Barefoot Therapies.

There was soooo much cake of all varieties, of course I took some of my on treats along (front of photo) and they went down a storm and the kids loved them too. The bites I took was the mint choc and vanilla versions of my Wholeplus range presented in larger squares, plus some of the worlds healthiest truffles. It reminded me that i had made a batch of 'vanilla pie bites' a while back but had never got round to posting them...now is the perfect opportunity!

I've been making lots of smoosh bars in recent weeks and months, experimenting with lots of different flavour combinations. Another simple is often the best.

These mini vanilla pies are the simplest combination of ingredients and by squashing them into flattened balls instead of forming them into bars they become even more pie-like especially when dusted with a little extra coconut.

You really need to recipe but i'll give you one anyway, all you need is a decent food processor and not a particular powerful one at that. A pinch of salt will help the flavours pop but isn't necessary if you prefer to omit. 

For free to make bars or any shape you wish, you could also keep it loose and crumbly for breakfast sprinkle topping if that's more your thing, perfect sprinkled over a plain nondairy yoghurt or over a bowl of morning oatmeal. The great thing about these bites is that they are nut free and so suitable for lunch boxes too!

Recipe: No-bake vanilla pie bites

Makes approx. 20

Ingredients: 

• 250g dates

• 100g shredded coconut

• 50g oatmeal or ground buckwheat (or extra coconut)

• 2 tsp vanilla powder

• pinch salt

Method: 

Blend dates to form a chunky paste and then add all remaining ingredients and blend until sticky enough to form 'pies' press extra coconut onto the top if desired.