chocolate granola bars
There is still time to hibernate before spring.
There is still time to slow down and nourish on a deep level.
There is always time to make healthy food that’s super delicious!
This recipe speaks to me because I am re-directing my relationship to chocolate by using it as a superfood, which is its true use. By separating it from sugar, chocolate has become digestive, anit-inflammatory and energizing for me once again.
Try making these bars and see what you think! They’re great as breakfast, snack or a birthday party treat.
The deep and nourishing cacao flavor blends so well with the high fiber oats and energizing nuts. With a natural sweetener, the cacao flavor really shines forth and doesn’t leave the bitter aftertaste that I used to get from eating chocolate with cane sugar.
Try it and see what you think!
CHOCOLATE GRANOLA BARS
You will need:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup almonds
1 cup pecans
1/4 cup apricots, soaked and chopped (or any dried fruit you prefer)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of sea salt
3/4 cup cacao powder
1/4 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
2 tablespoons raw honey (or maple syrup if you avoid fructose)
Chop apricots coarsely and place in a bowl with 1/2 cup boiling water. Soak for 15 minutes. You can also use raisins, dates, figs, or a blend of all of these.
Place almonds and pecans in a food processor and blend slightly until they look like flour but are not yet oily.
Drain water from apricots / dried fruit mix and add them to the food processor. Blend again until a dough forms.
Add cinnamon, salt coconut oil, maple and cacao powder and process to combine.
Take the blended mixture and place it in a bowl with the oats. Mix well with a spatula to combine.
Grease a baking sheet with coconut oil and place the mixture on it.
Spread it out into an even layer and make a rough rectangle shape.
Cover them with plastic wrap and freeze them for 30 minutes.
Remove from the freezer, chop into any shape you like, and refrigerate for up to a month.
For an amazing treat, make coconut oil glaze and drizzle on top! Blend 1/4 cup coconut butter with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
