Peanut Butter-Chocolate Bars
Peanut butter is the best. Period. So whenever I have the chance to mix peanut butter into something, I do it. These peanut butter-chocolate bars bring out all of the wonderful aspects of peanut butter that I love. They're sweet, slightly salty, have a little texture and start to melt in your mouth... enough said. These bars are simple, filling and protein-packed, making them a perfect pre- or post-workout treat.
Ingredients
Base
¾ cup plant protein powder (I used an espresso flavor)
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup almond meal
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
Topping
½ cup non-dairy chocolate
½ tsp coconut oil
½ cup creamy peanut butter
sprinkle of coarse sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Base
Mix the protein powder and almond meal together in a bowl to form the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter, maple syrup and melted coconut oil together to form the wet ingredients.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing thoroughly until everything is well-incorporated.
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and transfer the mixture into it. Place the pan in the refrigerator.
Topping
Add the chocolate, peanut butter and coconut oil to a saucepan and cook on low heat to melt the ingredients, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and make sure the contents are well-incorporated.
Once melted, removed the saucepan from heat.
Remove the loaf pan from the refrigerator and pour the chocolate topping onto the peanut butter base. Sprinkle with salt if desired.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the bars to set.
When ready to serve, remove the bars from the pan and lay the parchment paper flat underneath them. Let the bars stand on the countertop for 1 minute to slightly soften the chocolate topping. Slice and serve!
Notes
For a shorter set time (1 hour instead of 2) and thinner bars, use a brownie pan.
