Almond Bars With Chocolate Coconut Frosting
Enjoy these protein-packed bars for breakfast, a healthy any time snack, or even dessert (the chocolate frosting is irresistible!). The wholesome, nutrient-rich ingredients in these chewy, nutty bars make one delicious bite that satisfies hunger!These energy bars are simple to make and are the best healthy snack for at home or on-the-go! A variety of nuts, seeds, and other superfoods are combined to make bars packed full of nutrients.Why You Will Love This Superfood Energy Bar RecipeEasy and Adaptable! Super simple to put together, this recipe can also be customised to your preferences, cut into squares or even rolled into bite-sized balls. Even though these bars already contain so many amazing nutrients, you can add/swap different ingredients. Making them at home with whole foods avoids the preservatives in store-bought protein or energy bars. Amazing Texture! Nuts and seeds give this recipe incredible crunch while the binding ingredients make these bars so deliciously chewy! Naturally Sweetened! You will love the natural sweetness from the dates in this recipe! Plus they contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to support brain, digestive, and heart health and protect against disease. You don’t get that from sugar – nothing to see there but empty calories.The Chocolate Coconut Frosting is to die for. Its smooth, creamy, delicious, and packed with coconut flavor, perfect for topping cakes, brownies or piping onto cupcakes,cookies and even ice cream! This frosting holds up at room temperature, and yet is semi-soft when right out of the refrigerator. It is the perfect balance of creamy, smooth, firm and spreadable.Its nice to have a batch already made in the fridge so you can put a dollop on EVERYTHING.I often make healthy snacks like homemade superfood bars or energy bites to have on hand for when I am on the go. They go great with Greek yogurt or piece of fruit.This recipe is a super healthy treat, the perfect pick-me-up for long lasting energy. You and your family will love them.
Servings 12
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups almonds, walnuts, pecans or a mix
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Coconut Frosting
- 1 cup coconut butter, store bought or recipe below in notes
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8” baking pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.Place almonds (or nut mix) into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly. Add dates, coconut, oats, seeds and vanilla and continue to process until mixture combined. Be careful not to over process as you want the texture to still be chunky with larger pieces of nuts in it to add texture variance and different sized “bits” in your energy bars.Press the base mixture into the bottom of your pan or dish evenly. Refrigerate while you prepare the frosting.
Chocolate Coconut Frosting
- Blend all ingredients in food processor until smooth and spread on chilled bars. Place pan back into the freezer for 30 minutes, or until the frosting has set.Remove pan from freezer and lift the parchment paper to remove the bars. Using a sharp knife, cut into 12 bars or more smaller squares. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.Store in the freezer for up to three months and eat cold for a frozen treat.
Notes
If you are anywhere near the health food or fitness circles, you have no doubt heard of coconut oil by now. But have you ever heard of coconut butter? Oh my gosh is it good.
It tastes like the most delicious, decadent, oh-so-bad-for-you treat. Except, it’s not. It’s actually good for you. In fact, coconut butter packs a boatload of benefits:
It’s rich in lauric acid, which boosts immunity and destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, and funguses.
It actually boosts your metabolism, which aids in weight loss and increases energy levels.
Its a superb ingredient for protecting and replenishing the hair and skin
It’s packed with healthy fats, so you feel full longer.
It’s full of essential amino acids, calcium, and magnesium. Basically, coconut butter is just plain awesome.
It’s so creamy, buttery, naturally sweet and full of nutrients, and it’s hard to believe that this tasty Homemade Coconut Butter from Scratch is made with one ingredient!
You may not know this, but a jar of high-quality coconut butter can be expensive. Yes, that is one of the reasons that you should make you own - it’s unbelievably easy.
Besides being incredibly good for you, coconut butter greatly enhances the creamy texture of desserts, smoothies, ice creams, fudge and hot beverages. Even a spoonful out of the jar is not a bad thing. 😊
Once you start using it, you'll find many other ways to sneak it into your diet.
Homemade Coconut Butter Recipe:
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
