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Energy Bars

3/2/2016

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Energy Bars?  Ummm ... YES!  Who couldn't use a little more energy these days? 

I feel like I've done a weeks worth of baking, grocery shopping, cleaning and attending soccer games and --- its only Wednesday!  It's no wonder I feel like I'm energy deprived.
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White sugar is often the culprit of spikes in blood sugar and then subsequent drops in blood sugar levels which causes me to feel like I am energy deprived.   My job as a baker makes it really hard to avoid sugar completely but I do try and balance it out with meals and snacks with limited amounts of white sugar. 

I found this recipe for Energy Bars in Joanne Changs new cookbook "Baking with Less Sugar."  I was intrigued by her use of fruit and honey as a sweetener for delicious bars packed with energy boosting ingredients. 

These bars make a great breakfast treat with a cup of tea or a perfect afternoon snack. 
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Energy Bars
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup canola oil
1/3 cup honey
1 super ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup flaxseed
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup millet

Preheat oven to 350 and toast walnuts, almonds and pecans 10 minutes.  Let cool. 
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Combine dried fruits in bowl.   Pour boiling water over fruit to cover.  Let stand 30 minutes.  Drain and reserve 1/4 fruit water.
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In bowl, combine almond flour, whole wheat flour, nuts, oats, coconut, salt, cinnamon, flaxseed, millet and sunflower seeds. 
Stir together banana, oil and honey. 
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Add banana mixture to dry ingredients and stir to combine.
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Place 1/2 of the fruit in food processor along with reserved fruit water and process until chunky jam consistency. 
Stir into oat mixture along with remaining fruit.
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Press mixture into an 8x12 inch rectangle on a silpat lined baking sheet. 
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Cut into 16 rectangles. 
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Bake 35 minutes at 325. Reduce heat and bake 1 hour at 250.  Turn off oven and leave bars in oven until cool. 
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In case you were wondering why there are 2 pieces missing - yup - that was my breakfast.  That should be all the convincing that you need that these bars are delicious. 
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Use my recipe as a catalyst for your own custom made energy bars.  Choose the fruits and nuts that appeal to you to customize your own bars. 
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I can't say that I wont be tasting cupcakes all afternoon but at least I can balance out the white sugar with some energy from fruit, honey and whole grains. 

Happy snacking friends. 

Ciao!
Click here for a printable version of this recipe
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