The perfect protein-packed snack for energy and strength. The balance of dates, nuts, and spices evokes a sense of warmth and comfort, ideal for the season of love.
Ingredients
Makes 24 bars
For the base
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 250g dates
- Boiling water
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 3 tsp vanilla essence
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1/2 tsp powdered ginger
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tbsp MUD\WTR cacao/mushroom blend OPTIONAL
For the topping
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Flaked almonds
- Sea salt flakes
Method
- Heat oven to 150°C
- You’ll need some baking paper and a baking tin about 9” square
- Place the dates in a bowl and cover with boiling water, leave to soak for 15/20 minutes.
- Now combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Next mix almond butter with 2 tbsp water from the dates and stir thoroughly until really smooth.
- Take the dates from the water (keep the water) and add to the food processor with the almond butter and vanilla essence and mix for a few minutes until it forms a paste. It doesn’t matter if it’s not completely smooth.
- Now put all the paste into the dry ingredients and stir together with a large metal spoon until completely combined and all the dry ingredients are taken up. Add a little date water (not too much) to take on any remaining dry ingredients.
- Line a baking tin with grease-proof baking paper (leave some edges so you can lift it out afterwards) and spread the mixture evenly over the tin. I found the back of a metal spoon the best way to do this.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 150°C
- Once it’s in the oven melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan and add the cacao powder and a teaspoon of honey if required (not essential). Mix thoroughly and leave to cool.
- After 30 minutes remove the tin from the oven and leave to cool. Once the mix is cool remove it from the tin using the edges of the paper and spread the topping over it as evenly as you can. Now for the pretty bit, take the flaked almonds and spread them over the top by placing rather than shaking! Then sprinkle some salt flakes over the top, just a pinch or 2 for the whole thing.
- Once this is done you can cut it into pieces and serve to your loved ones.
- Probably best kept in the fridge or a cool place in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
