Natural Sweet Recipes

Chocolate Chip Cookie Energy Bars

You might be questioning my understanding of the term “energy bar” with that thick slab of chocolate in your face. That’s alright.

When I stumbled upon this recipe over at DamyHealth.com, I got excited to try it and promptly made plans to make it. I loved them, but not as a dessert bar. I admit sometimes I like my sweets sweet, but I knew I couldn’t serve these cookie bars to friends who are used to regular desserts, and try to pass off as an after dinner treat. I could just imagine the round of teasing. Even if it did have chocolate chips.

But after tasting one with a thought of it being a protein or energy bar, I knew it just needed a slight name change. Full of good nuts, coconut and dates makes the name appropriate enough, doesn’t it? Even if there is a healthy amount of chocolate in these, it just adds great flavor to a bar packed of protein and nutrition. I slightly adapted the recipe I’d found and now enjoy them as a mid day snack for a delicious energy pick me up. Whenever you decide to enjoy them, they’re one of the most guilt-free chocolate chip cookie bars around.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Energy Bars  (vegan & gluten free)

Cookie Dough:
1 Cup Walnuts
1 Cup Cashews
1/2 Cup Pitted Dates
2 Tablespoons Coconut Shreds
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
1 Tablespoon Water
1/4 Cup choice of chocolate chips or chunks

Chocolate Coating:
1 Cup Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Natural Cocoa Powder
1/3 Cup Maple Syrup
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

In a food processor, place nuts and coconut and pulse until ingredients come together. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips and mix until mixture comes together and looks like cookie dough. Mix in the chocolate chips by hand.

Line a 8 by 8 baking dish with parchment paper and spread the dough out in the dish. Make sure dough is evenly distributed and smooth.

In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil with the cocoa. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. The chocolate should be thick but still runny. If it’s too thick, add a bit more maple syrup. Pour your chocolate all over your cookie dough bars. Cover the dish and place in the the freezer to chill for 1 to 3 hours. Remove from the freezer, cut into squares and enjoy! These make a great snack or breakfast for anytime! If you plan on taking these for a lunch or as a travel snack, freeze before hand for 3 hours and keep cool so the chocolate coating does not melt. Keep leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

Makes 12 bars

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Comments

  3. Kristina says

    these look DIVINE! Ever since I made my own granola bars last week all I want to do is try out new bar recipes! I eat a lot of cookie dough Luna Protein bars so these are a perfect swap :)

    Reply

  7. Kristina says

    That top picture looks irresistible! Haha and I love the name change :) If its an energy bar that means I can totally get away with eating chocolate at 10 am right…? :) These seriously look scrumptious!

    Reply

  8. Purabi Naha says

    Loved the photograph very much…this looks stunning! This recipe for energy bars is wonderful…I loved how you made it. Bookmarked the recipe for the weekend.

    Reply

  11. Keri says

    What brand do you buy of sugar free chocolate chips? I have never seen them before but would love to buy those instead of the Enjoy Life mini chips which still have sugar in them!

    Reply

    • Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes says

      Keri, thank you for asking because I just realized the sugar free chocolate chips I used are not vegan! But I typically make my own chocolate chunks with the same recipe that I make the chocolate topping. You can make another batch, spread it out in a dish, freeze it to chill and then break it up into little chunks. I’ve looked for sugar free vegan chocolate chips but haven’t found any yet! I’m sorry about being misleading about it being vegan, I will change that!

      Reply

  14. Char @ www.charskitchen.ca says

    mmmm I will have to try these! I’m the same- I like desserts really sweet, but then I also like desserts that are less sweet that I won’t feed to certain people :P Thankfully Dallas likes to eat lighter, too, so I’m sure we would both love these. They look delicious!

    Reply

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