Homemade Peanut Butter and Cocoa Protein Bars
Preparation time: 5 – 10 minutes
Yield: 1 – 9×13 inch dish, cut into squares
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1 cup Chocolate Cinch protein powder*
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1 1/4 cup oats
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1/2 cup wheat germ, flax seed, or flax meal
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1/2 cup shredded wheat, granola, or more oats
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2 – 4 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (depending on how much you like!)
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1 cup Agave (or honey)**
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1 tsp pure Vanilla
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1 cup peanut butter or almond butter***
Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. In a sauce pan, bring Agave to a boil then immediately remove from heat and add peanut butter or almond butter and vanilla. Stir until combined. Pour peanut butter mixture into bowl of dry ingredients and stir until combined – you may need to use your hands. Pres down into un-greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Cool in the refrigerator. Cut into squares.
Variations:
- Add fruit to dry mix (1/2 cup chopped dates, raisins, cranberries, or cherries)
- Add nuts to dry mix (almonds, walnuts, pecans, or other nuts)
- Add 6 Tbsp. cocoa powder to dry mix
- Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips ON TOP of mix after it is pressed into pan. Turn oven on broil. Place bars into oven for about 1 minute. Remove and use a knife to spread melted chocolate chips around on top of bars. Refrigerate.
* Shaklee Instant Soy Protein. You can use any Shaklee protein and it will turn out pretty much the same (ie: Cinch vanilla protein)
** Agave is the ideal sweetener because it does not raise your Glucose level like honey does, which will help your insulin level not rise as much.
*** Almond butter is the better option. If you use peanut butter, try to use natural or organic peanut butter.
