Michelle is the Gold Medal Finalist of Muscle Insider‘s Best Protein Chef 2020. Michelle is a passionate protein baker/chef that is dedicated to creating recipes to help others achieve their personal goals while maintaining a positive relationship with food. She believes food plays many different roles in our lives; nourishment for growth and healing, fuel for energy. She believes celebrations and traditions are all part of an experience that do not need to be restricted but replaced with ideal, quality ingredients without sacrificing taste or texture. Michelle is eager to share her delicious recipes and creative tips to help you succeed in reaching your personal goals while enjoying your food. For more of Michelle, she can be found on Instagram @michelleralphlarose_ and for more tasty examples of her treats @cleaneats.treats
This homemade protein bar has layers of texture and flavour, is simple to make with no baking required, easy to make for meal prep in advance.
Here is what you will need,
- 1 1/2 cups coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 6 dates pitted ( and soaked in hot water)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup of cocoa
- 4 scoops of favourite protein (I used 3 scoop of gourmet chocolate and 1 scoop of peanut butter ISO100 from @dymatize)
- 1/2 cup sugar free maple syrup
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 3 pks of stevia ( or sweetener of choice)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cashew milk + 2-3 tablespoons if needed to add to achieve desired texture
- 1/4 cup walnuts
GLAZE
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips ( I use krisda)
- 1 packet of stevia
- Pinch of salt
Easy peasy toss your dates into a cup with hot water and let them sit while you combine all of your ingredients.
Setting aside your walnuts or nuts of choice to add in once all ingredients are mixed well, then chop up your dates and fold into batter along with nuts.
Take your 8x8 pan and line it with parchment paper (this will allow the protein bars to be easily lifted out of container later).
Pour batter into the pan spreading evenly.
Use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack down the batter.
- Heat your coconut oil in the microwave until melted (30 seconds at a time)
- Stir in chocolate chips until blended and smooth
- Pour over your packed protein bar mixture evenly using a spatula
- Optional sprinkle a little salt (it brings out the chocolate flavour)
Let the mixture rest in the fridge overnight or at least 4-5 hrs.
Cut into 16 pieces (4x4).
These can be kept in the fridge for days or wrapped up in parchment frozen to enjoy later.
These bars are chocolatey soft and fudge like, with slight chewy parts that have a caramel taste from the dates and a little crunch from the nuts with a crisp chocolate coating on top.
Nutritional Info Per Piece:
- Calories 208
- Protein 10.2g
- Fats 11.9g (saturated 5.4)
- Carbs 17.4g (Net 10.7)
- Fiber 6.8g
- Sugar 7.5g
For more mouth watering and healthy recipes, Michelle can be found on Instagram @michelleralphlarose_ and @cleaneats.treats or right here in her column at Muscle Insider.
