Hey there. These bars are pretty darned fresh and good and not too dry or sweet. I was inspired by the new trail mix style of energy bars, specifically Clif Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bars (which I think are a knockoff of Kind Bars). The bars are topped with a layer of melted chocolate made from Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips and sprinkled with Maldon sea salt flakes. For the cereal I used El Crunchy Puffed Rice Cereal.
This is a small batch, a test that turned out well enough to keep. I managed to photograph some before they all disappeared. We are now down to two on the plate and one on my chest as I lounge here with my laptop. My sons ate a few. In theory they were for my car and skate bag– bigger batch next time?
- ½ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. cocoa
- flaked salt (2 pinches, divided)
- ⅓ cup almonds
- ⅓ cup walnuts
- ¾ cup puffed cereal
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life brand)
- In a food processor, combine the almond butter, honey, vanilla, and cocoa. If the almond butter is unsalted, add a pinch of salt.
- Process until combined.
- Add almonds and walnuts.
- Pulse several times, enough to break up most of the nuts but not to turn them into a meal.
- Transfer the nut and almond butter/honey mixture to a bowl or stand mixer.
- Add the puffed cereal and mix together either with the stand mixer or by hand
- Place a piece of parchment paper in a square baking dish.
- Put the mixture into the dish and press down to flatten.
- Melt the chocolate chips, 30 seconds at a time, in a microwave, stirring after each 30 seconds.
- Pour/spread with a spatula the melted chocolate on top of the bars.
- Sprinkle a little flaked salt on top of the melted chocolate.
- Put the dish into the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up (or the fridge for longer).
- Cut and enjoy!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
These bars have all of my favorite flavors! I love that they can pass as both a snack and healthy treat!
Kristine | Kristine’s Kitchen recently posted..Whole Wheat Macaroni and Cheese
Thanks, Kristine! Yes, multi-tasking here, yhough when they all disappear as treats it doesn’t help me stay fed when I’m running around town. Keeping stocked on energy bars is a challenge!
These look amazing! I’ll be sharing these! Glad to have connected!
Sarah recently posted..Creamy Coconut & Carrot Curry Soup
I’m glad too! Thanks for the share!
Oh wow, that sounds crazy good! Just say the words “salted chocolate” and I’m there. The rest is just the icing on the cake- or the nuts in the trail mix bar, I suppose. 😉
Hannah recently posted..Love Triangle
Thanks Hannah!
Definitely make a bigger batch next time 🙂 These sound delicious! I love salted chocolate and I also love this combination of ingredients you’ve put together for these bars. I just pinned this recipe so I can come back to it later!
Thanks so much Gwen for the visit, the feedback, and the pin! I tried to visit your site but it’s down this morning, will try again later!
These have been on my to-make list for some time and I plan to do it today!!! Will report back.
Jo recently posted..A whole lot of skating goin’ on
Ooh, they are yummy. I left out most of the honey, used toasted oats instead of puffed cereal, and bittersweet chocolate. A little flatter and denser than probably they might be otherwise. Oh, and didn’t get the salt distributed evenly so, there will be a salty one or two for those lucky people!
Jo recently posted..A whole lot of skating goin’ on
Oh I’m glad you liked them! Thanks for your report! They were on the sweet side so I’m sure they were fine with less honey. Hmm I wish I could try one of yours with the toasted oats to see how that was!