Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bars
Simple Recipes Fasting Recipes Desserts
Post-run snack for my favorite runner, who finished his half-marathon yesterday in 1 hour and 54 minutes. Congratulations to all participants and organizers of the Wizz Marathon in Cluj. Every year there are more people and it's more beautiful. The weather was on our side, and the scenery was as exuberant and colorful as the runners.
This recipe is simple, no-bake, and full of delicious things. Plus, it can be easily customized.
Ingredients
250g dark chocolate (50% cocoa; chopped with a knife or in chip/drop form)
250g peanut butter (or other nut butter: hazelnut, cashew, almond)
50g butter (82% fat; or coconut oil for vegan version)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional; or other flavors)
3 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey; or another similar sweetener)
200g mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruits (small oat flakes, raisins, cranberries, figs, dates or other dried fruits; sliced almonds; store-bought granola mix)
Servings: approx. 8
How to prepare chocolate and peanut butter bars
- Melt the chopped chocolate, cubed butter, and peanut butter over a double boiler. The bowl containing the ingredients should have a thick bottom and shouldn't touch the water creating the steam, so that melting happens slowly and the chocolate doesn't seize. Stir a few times once the chocolate starts to melt.
- Remove the bowl from the steam and gradually add the sweetener of your choice. Add one tablespoon at a time, stir and taste. Add until it reaches your desired sweetness (I used 3 tablespoons of maple syrup). Don't add sugar, not even powdered sugar, as it won't dissolve completely in the mixture.
- Pour the melted mixture over the crunchy mix (nuts, seeds, chopped dried fruits if needed). Add the cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
- Grease a loaf pan with a little oil and line it with plastic wrap. Pour the mixture into the pan and level it. Pull the edges of the wrap over the top and smooth with your hand.
- Refrigerate for at least a few hours until it sets.
- When ready to slice, remove from the fridge 10 minutes before to bring it to room temperature - it will slice more easily and cleanly. Cut into slices approximately 2-3 cm thick. Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator but serve at room temperature.
Ingredients melted over steam
Mixed with the crunchy bits
Leveled in the loaf pan
Sliced after setting
