Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bar
Dec 20 2011 by
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While I don’t do ‘cheat meals’, I also don’t believe in denying myself. If I am craving something I will come up with a way to make it using wholesome, natural foods. Apparently my daughter and I were on the same page last week because she asked if we could make some Homemade Candy Bars. I checked the panty to make sure I had all the ingredients and realized we didn’t have any brown rice puffs. I made a few adjustments to the recipe and came up with a super quick and easy treat that hit the spot. Being healthy tastes sooo good!
~Sarah
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Medjool dates (about 18 dates)
- 1/2 cup unsalted raw peanuts
- 1/2 cup no salt added peanut butter (creamy or chunky – both work)
- 1/3 cup + 2-3 tbsp chocolate chips of your choice (I used Sunspire Grain Sweetened Chocolate Chips)
Preparation:
- Line an 8 x 8 glass dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a food processor or powerful blender add the dates, peanuts, peanut butter and 1/3 cup chocolate chips.
- Process the mixture for 2-3 minutes. You should have a slightly grainy but sticky mixture.
- Add in the remaining 2-3 tbsp chocolate chips and pulse a few times to incorporate the chips. If you want a smooth candy bar skip this step.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared glass dish and using a spatula gently press down on the mixture to form an even layer.
- Place in the fridge for 30 minutes. Remove and cut into 1 1/2 by 4 inch sized candy bars.
- Wrap each candy bar in plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to eat.
Nutritional Info:
Makes 10 candy bars.
Serving size 1 candy bar.
Nutrients per serving: Calories: 352, Cal. from Fat: 161.5, Total Fat: 18g, Sat. Fat: 3g, Carbs: 43.5g, Fiber: 6.5g, Sugars: 30.5g, Protein: 9g, Sodium: 1mg, Chol: 0mg
Notes:
Leftover candy bars will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month. You can also freeze them for longer term storage.
For a gluten free candy bar make sure to use gluten free chocolate chips.
I actually like to cut these bars up into smaller pieces that I can pop into my mouth after a meal. I cut each bar up into 6 equal pieces and end up with 60 popable treats.
I live in Virginia and I am having trouble finding gluten free medjool dates! Could you tell what brand you use or where you get them? I am extremely sensitive and must have some from a certified gluten free facility. Thank you.
Hi Peggy,
I’m not gluten free so I’ve never really looked into buying gluten free dates. As dates themselves are gluten free it’s never been an issue for me. If you need extra assurance that the dates haven’t been in contact with any gluten you can try calling around to a few companies that sell them. I buy my dates in the bulk section of my local grocery store so I’m not sure what company it is that actually produces them. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
~Sarah
My goodness your blog is like a dream come try! I want to try all of your recipes at once! :) I’m definitely making these this weekend!!
These are one of my favorite treats. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
~Sarah
I loved them!! I gave a batch to my sister and her husband and they loved them as well. I’m passing along your recipe to them per their request! :)
Thanks Christine! I love that you provide us with so much feedback! It’s so great to hear from readers who make the recipes on how it went.
Glad everyone enjoyed the bars. They are so addicting! I have such a hard time eating just a serving!
~Sarah
that’s dream come “true”, not *try*, oops! :)
Is it really important that the peanut butter not have salt in it? I use natural peanut butter that only has peanut butter & salt in it. Would that be ok?
Hi Kim,
Using a salted peanut butter is perfectly ok. Just taste test the peanut butter mousse before adding in an additional salt – depending on how salty your peanut butter is you might not need to add any additional salt. Hope you enjoy the pies!
~Sarah