Homemade Candy Bars
Dec 29 2010 by
Add to Recipe Box 
Bag of chocolate chips – $4.99. Pack of peanuts – $3.99. Getting your candy bar fix without cheating – PRICELESS! Who would have ever thought you could eat a candy bar without any refined sugars or added preservatives?! Not only is this candy bar completely clean but it’s less than 130 calories and only 4.5 grams of fat. Be warned – it is really hard to eat just one!
~Sarah
Ingredients:
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 1/2 cups roasted and unsalted peanuts
- 3 cups brown rice puffs (see notes)
- 1 cup + 1 tbsp brown rice syrup or coconut nectar, divided
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips of your choice (I used SunSpire Grain Sweetened Chocolate Chips but for a gluten free treat use gluten free chocolate chips)
- 2 – 3 tbsp milk (I used oat milk)
Preparation:
- Place the dates and peanuts in a blender or food processor. (If you are not using a food processor make sure you have a powerful blender – I use my Vitamix blender.)
Place dates and peanuts in a blender or food processor
- Process until you have a smooth consistency.
Press peanut mixture into the bottom of a glass baking dish
- Transfer the mixture to an 8 x 8 glass baking dish. Using the back of a large spoon (or your fingers) to press the mixture into the dish to form the first layer. If you have excess oil from the peanuts simply use a papertowel to absorb it. Set aside.
- In a large bowl add the brown rice puffs and set aside.
- In a large saucepan add 1 cup brown rice syrup. Heat on high until bubbles start to form (about 1 minute). Remove from heat and immediately pour over the brown rice puffs. Stir to combine and transfer to baking dish and pour on top of the peanut layer.
- Again, using the back of a spoon (or your fingers) press the brown rice puffs into the baking dish to form the second layer.
- In a small saucepan add the chocolate chips, 2 tbsp milk and 1 tbsp brown rice syrup (if your chocolate isn’t sweet enough for your tastes try adding in a tbsp more syrup until you reach the sweetness level you desire). Heat on medium for about 3 minutes until the chocolate is melted and smooth (if the mixture is too thick add another tbsp of milk and stir to combine). You will need to constantly stir the chocolate chips to ensure you don’t burn the chocolate.
Pour melted chocolate on top and smooth with a spoon
- Remove the chocolate from the heat and immediately pour over the rice puff layer. Coat the entire layer of rice puffs with chocolate and smooth with the back of a spoon (don’t use your fingers this time!)
All 3 layers
- Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Once the chocolate has hardened cut the candy bars into 1 x 2 inch pieces.
Nutritional Info:
Makes 32 servings.
Serving size 1 candy bar.
Nutrients per serving: Calories: 129, Cal. from Fat: 39, Total Fat: 4.5g, Sat. Fat: 1g, Carbs: 21g, Fiber: 1.5g, Sugars: 12g, Protein: 2g, Sodium: 8.5mg, Chol: 0mg
Notes:
For this recipe I used Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice cereal for the brown rice puffs. They also have a gluten free variety that works perfectly! Make sure that whichever brand of rice puffs you use that you check the ingredients list for added refined sugars, chemicals or preservatives.
The candy bars need to be stored in the fridge but can be taken out and left at room temperature for about 15 minutes if you prefer a softer bar. I actually like them better cold but I’m a sucker for chewy candy.
Like I mentioned before – it’s really hard to eat just one. While these are perfect for a candy bar fix and an absolutely great “cheat” while still being free of artificial ‘crap’, they should still be eaten in moderation. If your will power is somewhat lacking and you’re likely to give in to temptation then try giving some away as treats to friends, family and co-workers. What a better way to share the joys of healthy eating then by passing out candy bars!!!! You can also make half a batch or try freezing them and taking only one out for dessert each day.
Make sure to use a gluten free chocolate chip, the coconut nectar and a gluten free rice puff cereal for a gluten free candy bar.
What a wonderful recipe!! I’m looking forward to trying it!
If only more people would realize that you don’t have to eat the chemical-filled, fat-packed candy bars in order to enjoy a treat! Frankly, clean treats just taste better!
Hi Tiffany!
I couldn’t agree more! Isn’t it wonderful the things you can create with wholesome and natural ingredients! And readers, make sure to stop by Tiffany’s blog at http://www.thegraciouspanty.com. She has a ton of yummy clean recipes and some great info on clean eating!
~Sarah
This looks like a fantastic recipe! Thanks!!
Thanks Wendy! I hope you enjoy them!
~Sarah
Hey this looks fantastic. where do you get brown rice syrup? Or do you make it yourslef?
Hi Zenobia!
I get my brown rice syrup at my local health food store but if you’re not in the US I’m not sure if it’s available. Brown rice syrup is very similar to honey in consistency. It’s got a slightly sweet taste but overall it’s not a strong flavor at all. You can try substituting with raw honey but the flavor of the candy bar will change slightly (not sure if that is good or bad). Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
~Sarah
Oh my goodness, priceless indeed…beautiful photos, and tasty recipe!!!
Thanks Sandra!
~Sarah
Grain sweetened chocolate chips!!!!????!!?!? What an AWESOME concept! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Grain sweetened chocolate chips are awesome! I use them in my almond butter cookies and my kids love having me sprinkle some over their vanilla ice cream for their dessert at night.
~Sarah
Oh yum! I would love to indulge on a few of these… not sure I could stop at just one. :)
It’s VERY hard to eat just one! Especially knowing that they are healthy. Luckily if you overindulge you’ll only need to work off a small amount of calories!
~Sarah
Oh wow that is one gorgeous, healthy and sweet treat! I love the fact that it’s so low in cals and fats – thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thanks Kate!
~Sarah
This is such a great and simple candy bar! I would have a ridiculously hard time just eating one!
Hi Annie,
Yes, it’s hard to eat just one. I swear they were calling to me from the kitchen!
~Sarah
Love the layers and that there is no white sugar in these.
Hi Lisa!
You would never know these are lacking sugar! I love making them for my kids playgroups – the kids think they are getting a naughty treat!
~Sarah
Lovely treat!
Thanks Briarrose!
What a healthy and delicious recipe is this! I am trying so hard to find delicious and healthy desserts these days. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks Eftychia!
These are super fun to eat and you can’t go wrong with healthy ingredients!
~Sarah
Frankly, these are some of the best candy bars I’ve ever made! I asked my husband to process the crust and returned to find him eating it by the spoonful. My crust did not reach a smooth consistency but had no problems with it. The rice puffs and brown rice syrup tasted just like rice krispy treats to me…I could eat the middle layer itself! I didn’t think the recipe called for enough chocolate but decided not to add more…good thing! The rest of the bar is plenty sweet and additional chocolate is not needed. I will try dark chocolate next time to mix it up. Thanks for a great recipe!
Hi Jacqueline,
I’m glad to hear you liked the candy bars. It sounds like your husband would really like our Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Bars! It’s very similar to the crust of these bars. I’m sure using dark chocolate would be most delicious! Let us know how it turns out!
~Sarah
oh….you hit my favorite sweet spot!!! I love these and posted to my blog to share!!!
YUM YUM YUM!!!
So glad you liked them!
~Sarah