Preheat the oven to 375 degrees f and line an 8X8 baking dish with parchment paper.
Mix the maple syrup and coconut milk together and set it aside.
Place the walnut halves into a food processor and pulse until they are roughly chopped. Carefully remove 1/2 cup of the walnuts from the food processor and set them aside.
Place the pitted dates into the food processor with the remaining walnuts and process until the walnuts and dates are blended together and begin to form a ball similar in texture to a ball.
Add the dough to the parchment-lined baking sheet and press it down with the back of a spoon until it is evenly distributed in the pan.
Layer the chocolate chips, coconut flakes and walnuts on top of the walnut/date mixture.
Pour the coconut milk and syrup mixture over top of the cookies and bake until the coconut begins to turn golden and the chocolate melts - about 25 minutes.
Notes
Recipe Tips
If the dates are dry, soak them in water for about five to ten minutes before adding them to the food processor. Drain them before placing them into the food processor.
Use a sheet of parchment or waxed paper to smooth the "dough" before adding the remaining ingredients.
Ingredient SubstitutionsMedjool dates can be substituted with 15 regular pitted datesSwap out coconut milk with almond, cashew or oat milkCoconut flakes can be used in place of shredded coconutWalnuts can be replaced with an equal amount of chopped pecans or almonds.Substitute dark chocolate chips with an equal amount of milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chips. Or you can cut up your own chocolate into chunks.