A few weeks ago, I mixed up a test batch of peanut-butter & chocolate bars and Eric said they were his fav bar yet. I took the basics from that recipe and refined them a bit and boy, oh boy – the results are to die for!

Hope you enjoy & get lots of good energy from these bad-boys!

H

PS – I recommend using a food processor to make these. If you don’t have one, a blender works but you’ll have to use a rubber scraper periodically to keep it from caking to the sides or bottom. Also, chopping everything by hand works – just make sure the dates get chopped ultra fine so whatever moisture is in there can squish out and be the yummy glue that holds these together. :) 

Ingredients:

[This recipe makes 8 1×1 square bars, more or less depending on how you slice em]
8 oz dried, pitted dates (about 2 cups packed)
6 tablespoons almond butter* (can sub peanut butter)
3 tablespoons agave nectar (can substitute 5-6 tablespoons honey to taste)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons quinoa (uncooked)
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder (can sub out 1 tablespoon cocoa powder for 1 scoop choc protein powder for extra protein)
1/4 cup raw almonds
1 tablespoon white chocolate chips**
*Note: If mixture is too crumbly to squeeze into a little ball by hand, add 1 tablespoon of nut butter at a time, pulse, and recheck consistency. 
**Optional: you can add about 1 tablespoon worth of choc chips or extra nuts but no more than that – the mix will be too dry and crumbly. 

Instructions:

1. Pour almonds and dates into a food processor or blender. Pulse until they are in small pieces and then add all other ingredients.
2. Pulse until mixture is crumbly and slightly moist. You can check the mix by pressing some up against the side of the bowl: If it gets hard packed, then it’s ready. If it packs slightly but feels dry and falls apart if you pick it up, add a little bit more nut butter. Should look like the pic below:
   
3. Once you get the consistency right, pour the mixture out onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Use your hands to press the mix into a big ball or log in the middle of the paper. Fold the edges of the paper over the mix press down firmly with your hands.
4. Roll out until you get the size and shape you want & then slice them up. I cut them into 8 1×1″ squares. Store them in foil, plastic baggies or an airtight container. Enjoy!