Chocolate Goodness and Guilt Free

I love living a mostly sugar free and certainly Gluten Free life, and I MISS chocolate protein bars and a lot of the simple stuff that has way too many processed ingredients for me.

This recipe cures all of that. Use it as a breakfast meal; on the go; a dessert, whatever gets your chocolate groove on!

Almond Butter Chocolate Protein Bars 

1 1/2 cups creamy salted almond butter (can substitute peanut, cashew, or sunflower)

5 dates (medjool), pitted (more can be added for sweeter bars)

2/3 cup hemp seeds

1/3 cup flax seeds (can substitute sesame or chia, etc)

1/2 cup chocolate protein powder (vanilla or other flavor of choice can be substituted)

FOR TOPPING

1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped

1/2 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp cacao nibs

Instructions

Add almond butter and pitted dates to a food processor and pulse a few times to blend. Add hemp and flax seeds, and protein powder and pulse until all ingredients are well blended and have a cookie dough-like texture.

If too wet, add more dry ingredients of choice, such as protein powder or hemp seeds. It too dry, moisten with a little more nut butter.

Use a simple taste test to rate and adjust flavor as needed, adding more protein powder for flavor, more dates for sweetness (if adding more dates, chop first to encourage even blending). Mix again until well combined.

Line a casserole or baking dish with parchment paper. Transfer mixture into the pan and spread with knife, spoon or crepe wand. Then use a flat-bottomed object (such as a coffee mug) to flatten into an evenly packed, flat layer.

Transfer to the freezer to chill for at least 10-15 minutes to help the mixture firm up. 

For topping, optional:

Melt dark chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler on the stovetop, or in 20-second increments in the microwave, stirring each time until melted. Then drizzle over the top of bars. Top with cacao nibs for added texture.

Once chilled, remove from freezer and cut into 12 even bars or squares.