CHOCOLATE POWER BARS

I will not deny it, I am a lover of chocolate.  In the past year I have resorted to satisfying the chocolate urge with eating a Dove dark chocolate but these bars are even better and there is no sugar!  You do need a food processor to make them.
Here’s the ingredients:  Almonds, Cocoa  Powder, Whole Dates, Vanilla, Stevia, Agave, Craisins and Coconut.


Start by putting 2 1/4 cups of almonds into the food processor.  I use the raw almonds, not the salted and roasted ones.  You can roast them in the oven for 5 minutes if you want, just make sure you let them cool completely before processing. 

Add 1/2 cup of coconut flakes or unsweetened coconut.

And 1/4 cup cocoa  powder.

Blend until combined and coarsely ground.  It should look like this.  Not fine ground but with some chunks.

Next we add the dates.  The recipe calls for 15 but I usually throw in a couple extras because I love dates!    Use the whole dates that are pitted of course.  I tried the chopped ones one time and it was a big mistake!

Process again until the dates are chopped up.

Add one Tablespoon of vanilla and 10 drops of stevia.

Now put in 2-3 Tablespoons of Agave.  You could also use honey if you don’t have any agave.  I use the 3 Tablespoons because it makes them a little gooier, chewier, which is how I like them.

Blend again until it all starts sticking together.

Dump in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and just pulse a few times to combine them into the mixture.

Grease an 8 x 8 glass pan.  I like to use coconut oil because I love the taste of it.  Otherwise use some butter.  Either way make sure you grease it generously.

Press the mixture into the dish and freeze for one hour, just until firm. 


Cut into small squares.  Store them in the refrigerator and eat them when you need that chocolate fix. 



CHOCOLATE POWER BARS
2 1/4 cups Almonds, (or pecans)
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup cocoa  powder
15 whole pitted dates
1 Tablespoon vanilla
10 drops Stevia
2-3 Tablespoons Agave
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Blend almonds, coconut and cocoa powder in a food processor until combined and coarsely ground.  Add dates and process again.  Process in vanilla, stevia and agave until well combined.  Pulse in cranberries.  Press mixture into a well greased  8x8 glass dish.  Freeze for one hour until firm.  Cut into squares.

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.  Philippians 2:14-15