Now that I have your attention, I will let you know, these are healthy candy bars!!
There are so many times when I struggle at home to find and make snacks that are healthy but that my family will also eat. You make the same old muffins, cookies and loaves and you know everyone is getting tired of them when even the teens won’t eat them anymore. So, here I am again trying a new recipe with great hopes that everyone will like it and devour with a ‘Hey, this is really good’. !! Fingers crossed.
I know I have made a recipe from this book before – It’s all Good by Gwenyth Paltrow, (Super Salmon Burgers) and have always wanted to try the ‘Candy Bars’.. Well not really candy bars but they sound good and enticing, so why not.. Who doesn’t like a candy bar ( without the candy).
Sunday morning I set out with intent to make these bars but hoping that I had all the ingredients at home because with an ‘EXTREME WINTER WARNING’ I did not want to go outside and go to the grocery store.
Success!! I had everything with one minor substitution…The recipe called for cashews, but I only had almonds. That should work. There was no need for me to bundle up and head to the grocery store.
On a side note, I am hoping for the weather to warm up because we are getting a little low on groceries.😬 Oh, I have the essentials and no one will go hungry but just nice to fill the fridge so that I do not get notes from my children on how they are starving, we have no food and they don’t know what to do..🤦♀️
This recipe uses 7 ingredients, mixed in a food processor and is quick and easy ( I seem to like those). The time consuming part is setting up of the base layer and cooling of the chocolate. Oh I did I tell you this is refined sugar free, gluten free and vegan. Triple Threat!
Once they were made, I cut up a bar to get the family to sample. Here’s how that conversation goes…
Wife: Here, I have something for you to try
Husband: What’s in it?
Wife: Just try it. Like I would give you something awful to try
Husband: MMM..Its good
Wife: [happy]
Mom to Teen Son: Here, I have something for you to try
Teen Son: (Giving me a weird look ) What’s in it?
Mom: Just try it…
Teen son: MMM.. Its good!!
Mom: [happy]
Mom to Teen Daughter: Here, I have something for you to try?
Teen Daughter: What is it? (already in her mouth). MMM its good!
Mom: [happy]
Ah, success again with all three. I never plan to tell them what is in it, as they may not eat it then. We will keep it our secret…SSSHHH
Here is the recipe and I hope it is a hit in your house too!! Note these need to be refrigerated or frozen and can be eaten straight from the freezer
Healthy Candy Bars
recipe adapted from Gwenyth Paltrow – Its All Good
1-1/2 cup raw almonds ( or you can use raw cashews if that is what you have)
1-1/2 cup dates (pitted and roughly chopped)
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 tsp almond extract
1-1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
1-1/2 tbsp coconut oil
In your food processor, grind almonds to a fine meal. Add the dates, almond butter, maple syrup, coconut flour, shredded coconut and almond extract. Pulse until you have a sticky ball of dough.
Line a pan with parchment paper (8×8 or 8×11.5) and press out the mixture in. Refrigerate until firm.
Meanwhile melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double boiler and cool slightly before pouring over the almond base layer. Return to the refrigerator to cool once again.
Once set, lift the bar out of the pan with the parchment paper and cut into bars.
Store in an airtight container for grab and go snacks
Danni
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