Date Energy Bars

One of my favourite recipes is the one for chocolate energy bars. And it's not just my fave. When I share it, people are convinced they are eating something really bad for them. Decadent. However, I'm in the mood for something that is not chocolate right now, so I'm thinking of an energy bar that doesn't use cacao.  I'm thinking pumpkin seeds and dates, shredded coconut and hemp, flax meal, and ground chia. If this sounds like it's up your alley, you may be as crazy as me. Anyway, here goes.

ingredients:

1 cup pitted honey dates

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup flax meal
1/2 cup hemp protein flour

1/2  tsp sea salt
2 tsp ground vanilla bean

1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup ground sesame seeds


1/2 cup coconut butter
1/2 cup coconut oil


directions:

in a food processor

1. puree the pumpkin seeds and shredded coconut, then add the dates and pulse until pureed and combined
2. add the flax meal, hemp protein powder, ground chia seeds, ground sesame seeds, sea salt, and ground vanilla bean
3. when everything is combined, add the coconut butter and coconut oil and pulse to combine
4. press the mixture into silicone baking dishes, and score into pieces
5. chill in fridge or freezer until set.
6. when fully set, break into pieces and store in an airtight container in the fridge


A softer, more gentle energy bar with a mellow flavour. Somehow they remind me of white chocolate. I don't know why. Go figure.