February 21, 2015

Chocolate Coconut Date Bars

I’m still comfortably basking in the realm of chocolate goodness but this time the magic comes in the form of energy bars.  That’s right!  These awesome Chocolate Coconut Date Bars are actually considered to be power bars; homemade power bars.  So, forget about shelling out your money on pre-packaged energy treats and whip up these flavorful super snacks that will conveniently power you through your most hectic days. 




These Chocolate Coconut Date Bars are laden with nutrient-rich elements and tons of flavor.  They are fudgy, intensely chocolatey and pleasantly chewy.  The bars are not overly sweet and they sport the right punch of salt to balance out the sweetness and slight bitterness of the chocolate while the coconut atop is the perfect finishing touch.  One tiny bar can effortlessly replace the mid-afternoon-pick-me-up espresso shot.  





Although they are named energy bars, I personally view these Chocolate Coconut Date Bars as a super easy, no baking required energy dessert.  But whatever you want to call them, dessert or power bars, the truth remains that nothing beats a homemade sweet treat.  Enjoy!    





Chocolate Coconut Date Bars
Adapted from Bon Appétit (January 2015)

Makes: 12 bars

Ingredients:

·         Nonstick vegetable oil spray
·         Parchment paper or aluminum foil
·         2 cup Medjool dates, pitted
·         ¾ cup cocoa powder
·         1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
·         ¼ cup cacao nibs
·         2 Tablespoons agave nectar
·         1 teaspoon kosher salt
·         2 Tablespoons water





Instructions:

Coat an 8x8” baking pan with nonstick vegetable oil spray and line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil leaving overhang on all sides.  





In a food processor, process the dates, cocoa powder, ¾ cup coconut, cacao nibs, agave nectar, salt and water until smooth (you may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times).  Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan.





Scatter the remaining ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut over the top and press to adhere.  Cut into bars. 
 




Poftă Bună! (Bon Appétit!)

14 comments:

  1. These look WAY better than any pre-packaged energy bars! Delish!!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Liz! I agree – these bars are WAY better than the pre-packaged ones :)

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  2. I love medjool dates. I often eat them all with a bit of cream cheese before I ever get them baked into anything. I must make these bars. holy cow they look good.

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    1. Thank you so much, Maureen! I need to try the combination of dates with cream cheese; I think they go great together! I think you'd also like these bars :)

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  3. I love your crockery - it's so pretty. And these bars have wonderful ingredients. I wouldn't mind a slice or two now xx

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    1. Thanks, Charlie! I love the ingredients of these bars too :)

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  4. Terrific stuff! And I agree with Liz -- way better than commercial energy bars. Love the pictures, too. Fun post -- thanks.

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    1. Thank you so much for the wonderful words! These bars are much better than the commercial ones :)

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  5. Your coconut bars look delicious, I love how addictive they look :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  6. These chocolate coconut bars look amazing and I cant wait to try them!!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Joshua! Let me know how they turn out; I think you'd like them :)

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  7. I made your coconut bars this weekend and they were delish :) My kids loved them and so did my girlfriends! Laura

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    1. Hi Laura! Thank you so much for trying these coconut bars. I'm so happy to hear that they were a hit and everyone loved them :)

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