Is it an indulgent brownie or is it a raw, whole food, nutrient-dense and naturally energizing plant-based snack? You might be asking yourself this as you bite into the square that’s about to give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive. Cacao provides a nice boost in physical and mental energy while peanut butter offers sustained energy from the protein and healthy peanut fats. Take this with you as a snack on-the-go!
1cuporganic peanut butter (unsalted and unsweetened, creamy or chunky)
10dates (medjool, pitted)
½cupshredded coconut (unsweetened)
2tspvanilla extract (preferably alcohol-free)
½cupwater
2pinchessalt (optional)
Directions
1
Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor.
2
Blend until smooth.
3
Taste for additional ingredients or texture. It should be a moist dough-type consistency that you can press into a dish. If it’s too dry, add more water 1–2 tablespoons at a time.
4
Line an 8x8 baking dish (or similar size) with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into the dish and press with clean hands so that it’s tightly packed.
5
Place in the freezer for one hour.
6
Remove the parchment paper from the dish and cut into individual 2x2-inch energy squares. You should get about 16 squares.
7
Store the squares in an air-tight sealed container in the refrigerator for 7–10 days or in the freezer for up to 30 days.
Chef's Notes
Substitutions Use almond butter or your favorite nut or seed butter in place of peanut butter.
Cocoa powder can be used in place of cacao powder. (Cacao refers to cacao beans that have not been roasted and cocoa refers to cacao beans that have been roasted. While cacao powder is less processed than cocoa powder, either would work in this recipe.)
Include more superfoods Add goji berries for more antioxidants and natural fruit energy.
Include your favorite superfood powders by mixing 1–2 teaspoons into the batter.
Add whole nuts and seeds to make it a post-workout snack with protein. (Walnuts taste delicious in this energy square!)
Ingredients
½cupcacao powder (fair trade or fair for life)
1cuporganic peanut butter (unsalted and unsweetened, creamy or chunky)
10dates (medjool, pitted)
½cupshredded coconut (unsweetened)
2tspvanilla extract (preferably alcohol-free)
½cupwater
2pinchessalt (optional)
Directions
1
Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor.
2
Blend until smooth.
3
Taste for additional ingredients or texture. It should be a moist dough-type consistency that you can press into a dish. If it’s too dry, add more water 1–2 tablespoons at a time.
4
Line an 8x8 baking dish (or similar size) with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into the dish and press with clean hands so that it’s tightly packed.
5
Place in the freezer for one hour.
6
Remove the parchment paper from the dish and cut into individual 2x2-inch energy squares. You should get about 16 squares.
7
Store the squares in an air-tight sealed container in the refrigerator for 7–10 days or in the freezer for up to 30 days.
