Baby Ruth is an American candy bar made of peanuts, caramel, and milk chocolate-flavored nougat, covered in chocolate. In 1920, the Curtiss Candy Company refashioned its Kandy Kake into the Baby Ruth claiming that it was named after Ruth Cleveland who was the eldest of five children born to United States President Grover Cleveland and First Lady Frances Cleveland. She is the purported namesake of the Baby Ruth candy bar. It became the best-selling confection in the five-cent confectionery category by the late 1920s.
The bar was a staple of the Chicago-based company for more than six decades. It is still being sold today but is now distributed by the Ferrara Candy Company, a subsidiary of Ferrero.
Here is a list of the ingredients in a Baby Ruth Candy Bar:
Ingredients: Sugar, Dry Roasted Peanuts, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel, Coconut, and Soybean), Nonfat Milk, Cocoa, Less than 2% of High Fructose Corn Syrup, Dairy Product Solids, Glycerin, Dextrose, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Lactic Acid Esters, Carrageenan.
Here is the list in this ‘healthified’ homemade version:
Peanut Butter, Peanuts, Honey, Coconut Flour, Coconut Oil, Protein Powder, Vanilla Extract, Chocolate Chips
I think you will agree there is a HUGE difference. Gone is the refined white sugar and corn syrup, nasty vegetable and palm oil and the other weird sounding stuff.
These Baby Ruth protein bars have quickly become my newest obsession, I literally couldn’t wait to get a healthier version created. They are so simple to make – you just mix everything together, put them in the freezer to set, and you are good to go! They are vegan, gluten-free, high protein, and made with quality whole food ingredients!
They taste so similar to a Baby Ruth bar, with the honey giving them a caramelly flavor, but are packed with a little extra protein oomf – which I love adding to my no bake recipes because it keeps me satiated, aids in muscle recovery, helps balance blood sugar and keep you fuller for longer!
And if you use a great tasting protein powder like vanilla or salted caramel, can even add to the flavor of the recipe!
Its awesome that we can now make a healthier Baby Ruth at home – and let me tell you, this is hands-down the best candy bar I have ever made! It’s just. . . I can’t describe it. It’s soooo good. You are just going to have to try it yourself.
The great thing about making homemade candy bars is that you know exactly what goes into them, and can adjust the recipe to accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions. And you can make them as big or as small as you like.
The BEST Protein Bars are healthy, no-bake, and contain nothing artificial! These are chewy, delicious, easy to customize, and are the perfect healthy snack. These delightful bars are packed with protein and perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings in a healthier way!
I always have a few on hand for an easy grab-and-go snack! Protein bars are a staple in my diet, as is chocolate. Once I learned how much cheaper AND tastier homemade protein bars are, I completely eliminated buying protein bars from the grocery store.
Why I love this recipe…
Wholesome ingredients. No hidden sugar – or worse, corn syrup along with highly questionable vegetable and palm oil! These bars are naturally sweetened with good stuff.
Perfect for chocolate lovers. Chocolate is a mandatory part of my day, and when I can satisfy my chocolate cravings AND hit my protein goal, that’s even better.
12 grams of protein per bar. They are the perfect midday snack, healthy dessert, or post-workout bar.
If you have been searching for a protein bar that’s made with minimal ingredients, truly healthy, and tastes DELICIOUS, this is the recipe for you! With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a high protein snack that tastes like dessert. Nobody will guess that they are actually good for you!
Baby Ruth Inspired Protein Bars
Ingredients
Nougat Base
- 1/2 cup peanut (or any other nut or seed) butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 3-4 tablespoons protein or collagen powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour (or oat or almond flour)
- 1/2 cup peanuts, toasted, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Coating
- 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
Nougat Base
- Combine the peanut butter, honey, coconut flour, coconut oil and vanilla and mix until smooth. Then mix in the protein powder and coconut flour. Fold in the nuts.Scoop the mixture into your candy mold, or press into the bottom of a lined 7 x 5-inch loaf pan or dish. Or use a silicon pan. Place in the freezer for at least an hour to harden.
Chocolate Topping
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in medium dish and microwave at 50% power with 30 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.Remove bars from the freezer and either cut the mixture into 10 bars or smaller squares – or pop them out of the candy mold.Use a fork to hold the bar from underneath while you spoon melted chocolate over each bars. Or dunk each bar and using one or two forks turn around in the melted chocolate until fully coated. Let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Place on a rack or parchment paper and return to freezer to set.If you have any left over chocolate simply drizzle over the bars using a spoon.Store the bars in an air-tight container in the freezer. Let them thaw a few minutes before enjoying for a softer texture!
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
