Last Sunday I made my first batch of energy bars!!  I'm really proud and happy with the result. Unlike traditional bars that are too dry and too sweet, this one's moist, a bit tart from the apricots (key ingredient for taste, btw!), a bit bitter from cocoa nibs, a bit spicy from ginger. The amounts below gave me about 20 bars - which I wrapped in cellophane and store in the freezer. The recipe is inspired by recipes I read in this book, but doesn't follow them identically. I just used whatever I had in the house and improvised. If you like more tart things - this will be right up your alley. I eat one every morning on my way to work and one in the evening before I hit the gym. 

• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/4 cup hempseed (protein-filled - one of the best way for vegans to get their protein) 
• 1/4 cup cocoa nibs (I ground these a bit in a coffee grinder - they add a nice crunch and bitter taste) 
• 2 cups chopped soaked dates (make the mix more mushy and moist rather than dry and chewy) 
• 1/4 ground walnuts
• 1/4 sesame seeds
• 1 cup coconut flakes 
• 1 cup chopped dried apricots (I'd love to try dried cherries as well - the apricots give this mix its tart flavor) 
• 1/2 golden raisins
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 lemon juice & zest
• fresh grated ginger 
• agave nectar (a few tea spoons) 
• 2 spoons of coconut oil (essential ingredient to tie everything together into a doughy texture)

If anyone else ends up making it, let me know how you liked it! I'd love to hear your feedback! Also, if you have variations of these ingredients or recommend to use others, please let me know. Enjoy!! 

Well its looking so great and Charmy..I can wait to eat this and I would like to thank u for this great recipe..Which you have share with me its really sweet..

I hate crunchy energy bars. These look amazing though - super soft. I'll have to try this out cept I'll switch out the coconut parts for something else (not a coconut fan at all). 

These sound exceptional. I might add some puffed millet or some puffed quinoa to see what it would do to the texture. Also to give a little more protein. The flavour would not change that much so it's all yummy.

Thanks for your take on an energy bar. I've forgotten all about this little gem of a snack.

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rgds

Oooh, great idea with the puffed millet or quinoa!! 

I've also heard about popped amaranth as being a great nutritious ingredient and great source of protein as well, but I've never used it. 

The cacao nibs--that's 1/4 cup, right? Although there are some in my household who'd prefer 1/4 bushel!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ka11iope 

The cacao nibs--that's 1/4 cup, right? Although there are some in my household who'd prefer 1/4 bushel!

Yes, it's 1/4 cup. Thanks for noticing that, I just edited and corrected the recipe. Cocoa nibs are actually really bitter and not very enjoyable to eat by themselves, so 1/4 cup is a very reasonable amount. I get them in the bulk items section at Rainbow by the way. 

It looks & sounds yummy!!