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Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars
Prep
15 mins
Cook
0 mins
Servings
12
Difficulty
Easy
These chocolate energy bars are my go to when I need a quick pick me up that actually satisfies. They're packed with whole food ingredients like dates, nuts, and cocoa, plus they come together in just 15 minutes with zero baking required. The beauty of this recipe is how simple it is to make and how affordable the ingredients are compared to store bought bars. Dates are incredible little powerhouses that provide natural sweetness and fiber, keeping you full and energized without any refined sugar. A hint of cayenne adds a subtle kick that makes these bars genuinely addictive, and I love having a stash in my pantry for those afternoons when I'm dragging.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 22 cups pitted medjool dates, roughly chopped
- 22 cups raw cashews
- 11 cup raw or roasted unsalted almonds
- ¾ cup high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Guittard® Cocoa Rouge)¾ cup high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder (such as guittard® cocoa rouge)
- 22 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 22 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 11 tablespoon cold espresso, or more as needed (or water)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ pinch cayenne pepper½ pinch cayenne pepper
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Place cashews, almonds, coconut, dates, cocoa, coconut oil, vanilla, cold coffee, cayenne and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off to start. Process about 1 minute; check to ensure mixture is sticky and moist enough to stick together. Add more coffee if needed. Continue to process until mixture becomes a chunky mass.
- 2
Line a baking pan with plastic wrap. Scoop mixture into 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.
- 3
Refrigerate until cold and firm, 2 or 3 hours.
- 4
Remove from the pan and unwrap. Cut into bars of your preferred size. Store in a zip top back in the refrigerator.
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