Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars
Description
You'll love these homemade chocolate energy bars made with dates, nuts, and coconut. Try a batch of these before buying expensive bars at the store.
Ingredients
•
2 cups pitted Medjool dates, roughly chopped
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2 cups raw cashews
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1 cup raw or roasted unsalted almonds
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3/4 cup high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Guittard® Cocoa Rouge)
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1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
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2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
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1 tablespoon cold espresso, or more as needed (or water)
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/2 pinch cayenne pepper
Directions
1
Gather the ingredients.
2
Place dates, cashews, almonds, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, coconut oil, cold espresso, vanilla, salt, and cayenne in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off to start, then process for about 1 minute. Check to ensure mixture is sticky and moist enough to come together. Add more coffee if needed. Continue to process until mixture becomes a chunky mass.
3
Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with plastic wrap. Scoop mixture into the pan; press down with a spatula until mixture is even. Place a layer of plastic wrap on the surface and smooth again with your hands. Refrigerate until cold and firm, 2 to 3 hours.
4
Remove from the pan and unwrap. Cut into 10 bars.
5
Serve and enjoy.