This recipe is inspired by KIND Ice Cream Bars – a healthy spin on a classic favorite. A homemade version of the popular, wholesome, nut-packed frozen treat bars! They are creamy, crunchy, and are the perfect thing to have stashed in your freezer when your sweet tooth hits! They are so darn good you could put them in the category of: The Best Frozen Treat There Ever Was!
They are made with cashew butter and vanilla protein infused ice cream, a layer of nut buttery caramel, and roasted peanuts and are doused and drizzled in chocolate, making for the most delicious and indulgent frozen treat!
This recipe is a more wholesome twist on the classic KIND bar. They have been ‘healthified’ and made with no refined sugar, palm oil, or peanut oil, unlike the store-bought version. Just simpler ingredients, same yummy vibe! This is a dessert that is full of creamy deliciousness in each bite.
Why you will love these healthy frozen treat bars:
Dietary friendly – perfect for those with sensitivities. These can be made vegan, nut-free, and are naturally gluten-free.
Made with wholesome ingredients like nuts, protein, probiotic-rich yogurt, and dark chocolate
Easy to make + freezer friendly!
Ingredients needed to make these bars:
Yogurt – This is the base of the “ice cream-like” layer. Coconut yogurt or thick Greek-style yogurt both work great, however make sure you choose an option that is super thick! Runny yogurt won’t work as well.
Cashew or almond butter – if you love peanuts, you can also use peanut butter!
Chocolate chips – feel free to use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate. Dark chocolate has the most antioxidants/health benefits, however milk chocolate is delicious.
Raw cashews or peanuts – this adds the crunch to the bars!
Have fun with mix-ins! Use different chopped nuts, dried fruit, coconut flakes, etc! These can be stirred into the yogurt base or the caramel!
Switch up the chocolate – try a white chocolate version!
Use different nut and seed butters for different flavors.
These delicious ice cream bars are ideal for a special occasions. 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 or snack.
The only hard part is waiting for them to freeze. The next best part is these bars fall into the category of “bet you can’t just eat one”! So, try not to eat them all in one sitting!
Frozen Treat Protein Bars (Copycat KIND Bars)
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 1 cup thick Greek-style yogurt or cottage cheese *Cottage cheese is less tangy than the yogurt and tastes more ice cream like, or use half and half.
- 1/4 cup cashew (or any other nut or seed) butter
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 3-4 tablespoons honey or maple syrup – to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nut Butter Caramel
- 1/2 cup cashew (or any other nut or seed) butter
- 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, softened
- Pinch sea salt
- 1/2 cup peanuts, roasted, chopped
Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- You will need a rectangle 6-8-cavity silicone candy bar/protein/energy bar mold or you could use a parchment paper lined 7 x 5-inch loaf pan or a silicon muffin pan.Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish 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, add a little to the bottom of 6 cavities in the mold, and using a teaspoon being sure to cover most of the bottom and bring it up the sides as well.Place the mold in the freezer while you create the ice cream base.
Ice Cream Base
- In a blender, combine all of the ingredients. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust as you would like more sweetener or vanilla.Once the chocolate layer has hardened, remove them from the freezer. Equally divide the ice cream base amongst the 6 cavities in the mold, covering the chocolate shell and reaching 2/3 of the way up the sides of the mold.
Nut Butter Caramel
- Mix together all of the caramel ingredients until smooth, then stir in the nuts. Add a little of on top of the ice cream layer of each bar. Then place them in the freezer for 2-3 hours until completely firm.Once firm, remove the bars from the mold. Line a plate or baking sheet with parchment paper.Drizzle melted chocolate over top of each one (you will need to remelt the chocolate). Place back in the freezer for 30 minutes to let the chocolate firm up before moving the bars to an air-tight container.Store in the freezer.Let thaw 5 or so minutes prior to eating for the creamiest texture!
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
