Tuesday 22 July 2014

No Bake Guilt-Free Peanut Butter Squares




My mom posted a picture and recipe for decadent peanut butter squares on my facebook wall a couple evenings ago with the caption "This will be easy for you...maybe you can make a guilt-free version?!?" to which I replied with....well nothing immediately... But little did she know her daughter dearest drafted up a recipe that very same night!


Speaking of Facebook -- did you know I had a Facebook page? I do! I am thinking of how to grow this little blog of mine so I figured....why not? I will post lots of fun stuff on there as time goes on, too!




Probably the most delicious imaginable dessert/healthy treat I have ever seen. How adorable are these squares?

Best of all they are loaded with healthy whole grains (oats) healthy fats (coconut oil and peanut butter) and dark chocolate which is good for your heart AND soul. Did you know these were no-bake, too? Well there you go. Bonus points now reaching 5,000.

The whole family was salivating over these bars -- they are filling and satisfying with a sweet and crunchy little mouth feel that makes me want to do the mamba. I don't know what the mamba is...or how to dance. But in my head I would be doing it.





And you can't blame me, can you! Look at these! They are so chewy and amazing. You will not be able to convince anyone these are healthy. Which may work out because they will say "No, no...I cannot indulge in these, I am watching my weight" to which you will say "But they are healthy, I SWEAR" and when they decline again you can bring them home and eat them all. Because practicing moderation in moderation means eating entire pans of peanut butter squares is A-OK!









Just kidding. These are so loaded with protein and good stuff you can't overeat them because it's near impossible. Bad news, I know.

I know what you are thinking-- "Summer...good for me peanut butter squares...shut your pie hole and get to sharing the recipe!"






And I shall oblige you, dear reader. Worry not!






Guilt-Free Peanut Butter Squares 

Yields 16 squares
Gluten Free, High Protein, Sugar Free, Vegan Option

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/3 cup oat flour (or 1 cup oats ground into flour)
  • 1 cup peanut flour, loosely packed
  • 1 cup brown rice protein (SunWarrior)**
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
  • 1/3 cup peanuts, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey or agave nectar 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla 
  • 5 - 10 drops liquid stevia* (optional but the Now Foods ones are AMAZING)
  • 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (almond milk)
* I used NOW Foods English Toffee Stevia Drops because they are unreal!


**UPDATE: Increasing the brown rice protein and omitting coconut oil led to a softer and more moist bar which my family and I preferred so I updated the recipe but the old version works perfect, too! So you may choose to add 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil and only 1/2 cup protein powder for a denser and chewier bar**


Chocolate 'Ganache'


  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil 

Directions:

  1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together to elimate clumps
  2. In a small saucepan, heat honey, peanut butter and coconut oil and stevia until fully combined
  3. Add liquid mixture to dry mixture and mix until you have a large ball of dough -- if mixture does not come together, add enough almond or other non-dairy milk to bind all ingredients into a large ball 
  4. Press mixture into an 8x8 square pan lined with plastic wrap or foil ensuring all sides of the pan are covered and your mixture is as flat/even as possible 
  5. Refrigerate or freeze for 30 minutes - 1 hour
  6.  For the ganache : Melt chocolate chips in the microwave or in a bain marie until all the pieces are melted
  7. Add coconut oil to chocolate chips and stir until combined
  8. Pour onto peanut butter mixture in the pan and smooth around ensuring all surfaces are evenly covered
  9. If desired add additional chocolate chips, peanuts and other toppings you would like while chocolate is still wet
  10. Refrigerate for an additional hour until bars have set
  11. Remove from pan by lifting out plastic wrap, cut into 16 bars and serve!
* You can leave these out in an airtight container but because it's hot I do put mine in the fridge! I like them cold but you don't have to refrigerate! 


See how easy peasy it is with plastic wrap? Just lift and cut!




Goodbye pan!







And hello convenience! Just chop 'em and serve 'em! 




The combination of SunWarrior and oats makes these bars chewy and incredible! The sweetness from the honey combined with the slight saltiness of the peanuts. UNBELIEVABLE! Sometimes you just need a good chew, know what I mean? And they look SO IMPRESSIVE!





You really can present these any which way and they look so fancy!





Even if they fall down when you try and stack them for a picture.





It's okay you can try again!







Can we talk about that texture. That clean slice exposing a nougat-like nutty centre? Okay we don't have to talk but just LOOK AT THAT!





OH YAHHHHH. DUFF MAN LIKES PB SQUARES





I hope you give these a try! Outside of letting them set in the fridge they are really easy to make! I buy my peanut flour online but if you do not have peanut flour you can look for PB2 by Bell Plantation which I buy from my local health food stores. Places like GNC and protein stores have it, too! 

The texture of these alone is the most satisfying experience in the world. But then there is the taste. The heavenly sweet and classic peanut butter and chocolate combination. So. Good.

Plus these make your house smell like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Who can complain about that? My whole family, actually because it was not yet time to break our fast. But it's okay because I won them over with a few squares -- noooo problemo!

Happy Squaring!

XO 

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