I literally can’t stop making ice cream recipes these days, they are all I want to make (and possibly eat). I just LOVE making them, who’s with me?
There’s something so pleasing about replicating my favorite candy bars, but first I have to ‘healthify’ them so they fit into a modern healthy eating plan.
Ingredients in Mars Ice Cream Bars:
Sugar, Skimmed MILK (15%), Glucose Syrup, Cream (from MILK), Water, Sweetened Condensed Skimmed MILK, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Fat, Cocoa Mass, Palm Fat, Skimmed MILK Powder, BARLEY Malt Extract, MILK Fat, LACTOSE, Whey Powder (from MILK), Fat Reduced Cocoa, Emulsifiers (SOYA Lecithin, E471, E477), Stabilisers (E407, 410, E412), Salt, Natural Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavour.
Ingredients after I have ‘healthified’ the recipe:
Almonds, Coconut Cream, Honey, Protein Powder, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, Dates, Almond Butter, Peanuts, Chocolate Chips
I think you will agree with me, the new ‘healthfied’ recipe looks a whole lot healthier than the original and with NO compromise on taste. Just simple wholefoods done well.
These ice cream bars are real close to the originals. The ice cream layer is made with an almond and coconut base. Using almonds makes the ice cream a little lighter and less thick, but it works perfectly for these bars as the ice cream gets lovely and melty if you leave them out of the freezer for a bit, leaving a yummy soft ice cream inside when you crack into that thick outer chocolate shell.
Why I love this recipe:
Made with healthy ingredients. Unlike the store-bought bars as shown above, my recipe is made with ingredients that are good for you and you can actually pronounce.
The perfect texture. Creamy delicious ice cream topped with soft, rich caramel, all covered in a layer of snappy milk chocolate. Perfection, isn’t it? This is a dessert or treat that is full of creamy deliciousness in each bite.
No baking needed. Like all homemade ice cream bars, the hardest part of this recipe is waiting for all the layers to set! These ice cream bars may take a few hours to make, but the freezer is doing all the work in this simple recipe.
No ice cream maker required. Just freeze, dip, and enjoy!
The good news is, they are super easy to make and require very minimal ingredients so you can easily elevate your frozen treat game with this nutritious dessert, proving that healthy can also be delicious.
It’s shocking how good these are! If you let them thaw a little bit before snacking, they become the perfect texture. These babies are the perfect healthy sweet treat as the protein content will leave you feeling full while also satisfying and helping to curb sugar cravings while still being healthy!
That’s really the trick with eating healthier, its not limiting or denying yourself yummy things, its about ADDING good stuff so you don’t crave the not-so-good high sugar things that can wreck health.
Experience the delight of guilt-free indulgence with this frozen ice cream bar recipe – a creamy blend of deliciousness to keep in your freezer for an any time treat, dessert or snack.
This fabulous dessert recipe makes healthy Mars ice cream protein-rich bars with pure ingredients that leave you feeling REALLY good.
Copycat Mars Ice Cream Protein Bars
Ingredients
Ice Cream Bar Base
- 1 1/2 cups blanched almonds (or cashews, soaked 3+ hours and drained)
- 1 13.5 oz can coconut cream, full fat (solid part only) *see note below
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Layer
- 1 1/2 cups dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup coconut (or any other) milk
- 1/4 cup almond (or any other nut) butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup peanuts, roasted, chopped
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Place the can of coconut cream in the fridge or freezer for at least 1-2 hours before making these ice cream bars to allow coconut cream to separate.You can make these bars in popsicle moulds or line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan or similar sized dish with parchment paper, making sure all sides and bottom are covered so that the liquid can't run underneath the paper. Or use a silicon baking pan.When ready to make the ice cream bars, open chilled can and scoop out the cream that has separated and set hard on the top. Save the remaining coconut water to use in a smoothie, drink, or discard.Add all of the ice-cream ingredients – blanched almonds, coconut cream, honey, protein powder, nut butter, coconut oil and vanilla to a food processor and process until completely smooth and creamy.Pour the ice cream mixture into the lined baking pan and freeze for 2 hours.
Caramel Layer
- Place dates, coconut milk, honey, almond butter and vanilla into a food processor and process until smooth and creamy.Some lumps left from the dates are fine.You can adjust the consistency by adding more coconut milk if it is too thick to pour easily. Take the baking pan out of the freezer and spoon the caramel on top of the ice cream layer. Use a spatula or back of a spoon to spread the caramel out in an even layer. Place back in the freezer until completely set (4 hours or overnight if possible).Remove the ice cream slab from the baking pan and cut it into 10 bars (or more smaller squares). Set the bars on a tray or board lined with parchment paper and place them back in the freezer to prevent them from melting while you prepare the chocolate coating.
Chocolate Coating
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in tall glass (for easier dunking) and microwave with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Once melted, insert 2 cocktail sticks into each ice cream bar (or use two forks) and get a sheet of parchment paper ready to sit them on. Dip the ice cream bars in the chocolate (either fully or just half) and set them on the parchment paper to set. You will need to use a spoon to help coat the last few bars as the chocolate will not be deep enough to cover the entire bar.TIP: For the best results, leave the ice cream bars in the freezer until the very last second and take each bar out individually to coat/dip them in chocolate. The more frozen the bars are - the easier this step will be.These ice creams will store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
