{Oh Baby} Chocolate Mint Bars… Healthified

Happy Monday!

When you think about snacks, you often think about going to your pantry and finding some pre-packaged treat you picked up in aisle 7 at the grocery store. Highly processed and not great for you but very quick, tasty and convenient.

Right?

Well today I am asking you to try these bars as a quick snack when you are craving the sweet treat.

Not extravagant, nothing overly elaborate, just really good.

I was perusing my favorite recipe sites when I stumbled on this little number by Danielle of Food Confidence.  This is my second link up to Danielle and I have not been let down as of yet.  These bars were really good.  I have made a couple of adjustments just on personal taste and I will get to that shortly.

Healthy Chocolate Mint Squares

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed, pitted Medjool dates ( If you have dried dates, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes)
• 1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup raw cocoa nibs ( You can omit if you do not have these)
• 1/4  tsp sea salt
• 3-4 Tbsp coconut milk ( You can also use almond milk)
• 1/8 tsp peppermint extract ( I altered this to be smaller)
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips ( my addition)
• ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (plus some for the top)

Method

1. Ready a baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Using a food processor, process the pitted dates first until chopped, then add in the hemp, cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, chia seeds, walnuts, almonds, shredded coconut, salt, peppermint extract, and coconut milk.
3. Process until well combined. You may need to scrape down the side of the bowl and add some more coconut milk if not processing well.The final product should be sticky.
4. Scrape mixture out into prepared baking pan and press into the pan with your fingers, then sprinkle with shredded coconut.
5. Freeze for about 45 minutes then slice into whatever size bar you desire!
6. ENJOY

Zesty Tip: You could also make these into balls and then freeze.  This is also a great base to add other flavors you may enjoy.  You could definitely use pure vanilla extract if that is a favorite of yours or add a protein powder for more of a power snack.

Tagged as: no bake, snacks