Sweet Treats

I am often asked “Are energy bars healthy?” My answer is usually, “It depends.” A conversation then ensues to determine how the energy bar fits into their lifestyle. If you make your own energy bars, you control the ingredients and can create versions which provide you with a net gain of nourishment and sustainable energy. This elevates energy bars to healthier level.

I recently started making my own energy bars or truffles. With a food processor, it an easy and quick process. It works great to make a large batch and freeze them individually. They do not freeze solid, so you can eat them right out of the freezer. In warmer weather, cold energy bars can be very refreshing.

You can form bars by pressing the mixture into an 8x8 baking pan, chilling it for two hours and then cutting into rectangles. To create balls or truffles, simply roll a tablespoon of dough into shape with your hands. Freeze the energy bars until you are ready to enjoy them.

Use this recipe as a template to get you started. Have fun trying out different combinations of tastes of these no-bake, high energy treats. If you are a chocolate lover, check out this recipe for Brownie Truffles.

Coconut Apricot Truffles

Ingredients
  • 10 dates, pitted and soaked
  • 5 apricots, soaked
  • 1 cup almonds, toasted and cooled
  • 2 Tbsp cup coconut flakes
  • 1 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp cacao nibs
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Toast the nuts on a cookie sheet for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown. Be careful not to toast too long. Allow them to cool on a plate.
  2. Soak the dates and apricots in warm water for five minutes. Drain, rinse and dry thoroughly.
  3. In a food processor, pulse nuts until smooth. Add in dates and raisins and pulse all together.
  4. Add the coconut flakes, chia seeds and cacao nibs and pulse briefly until just combined.
  5. Form into balls and freeze.

Date Me Truffles

Featured in the Get Out N Play February Newsletter

Ingredients
  • 10 dates, soaked
  • ¼ cup raisins, soaked
  • ½ cup mixed raw nuts, roasted and cooled
  • 3 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup coconut flakes
  • 1 Tbsp chai seeds
Directions
  1. Pulse nuts in a food processor
  2. Add in dates and raisins and pulse all together.
  3. Add remaining ingredients. Form into balls. Put them in the freezer for a longer life.

Brownie Truffles

Featured in the Get Out N Play blog: Belated Birthday Barkhamstead Bike Ride

Ingredients
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1 cup raw walnuts
  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • 6 Tablespoons cocoa powder (Dagoba is soy free)
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 Tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
Directions
  1. Soak dates in a small bowl of warm water for 5 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
  2. In food processor, grind nuts until fine. Add dates and grind into a paste.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor and process until thoroughly combined.
  4. Roll into balls and freeze until needed.
  5. Makes about 30 truffles.