Superfood Cacao Bars

Everyone is talking about super foods lately. Goji berries, chia seeds, cacao powder…they are all packed with nutritional goodies that when eaten the right way can be beneficial to our bodies.  I am seeing them added to pre packed foods more and more, but then sometimes I pick up the box and read the other ingredients that are not the healthiest. Which is why sometimes it is a good idea to make your own snacks when you have the time.  I have created some Superfood Cacao Bars here that are nutritionally dense. Fruits filled with antioxidants, chia seeds, cacao, and raw nuts for protein, these are perfect for a mid-afternoon snack to stave off hunger before a workout or just get you through energized.

Author: Amy Lyons O’Neil

Amy has worked for Fresh and Natural Foods since 2006 contributing to the variety of healthful foods we offer. She graduated with a degree in studio art from Bethel University in 2007, but in her senior year of college, found that her passion was with the art of food. She later used her photography and culinary skills to create a vegan food and recipe blog, Fragrant Vanilla Cake. She has also written 3 cookbooks. She specializes in vegan and vegetarian recipes. Local, fresh and organic food has always been her focus in whatever she creates.

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Servings: 24 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30-45 minutes | Ready in: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chia seeds (available in bulk)
• 1 1/3 cup filtered water
• 1 cup soft pitted medjool dates, packed (if not soft, soak them for 30 minutes in water and drain well)
• 1/4 cup raw or roasted Maranatha almond butter
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp raw coconut nectar, raw agave nectar or raw honey
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2/3 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups raw almonds
• 3 cups raw sunflower seeds
• 2 cups finely shredded dried coconut
• 1 cup goji berries
• 1 cup dried blueberries
• 1 cup dried cherries

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the chia seeds and the filtered water. Let sit for about 5 minutes until the water is absorbed, then add to a food processor with the dates, peanut butter, coconut nectar, sea salt, and cacao powder. Process until smooth, then add the almonds and sunflower seeds, and process for about a minute until they are slightly chopped. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl, and mix in the remaining ingredients.

If baking the bars, line a 11X7 inch pan with foil, and press the mixture into it scoring into 24 bars. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes until the bars are set and no longer tacky but still chewy. Cut into the score marks again when removed from the oven and let cool before enjoying. If dehydrating the bars (to make them raw), spread the mixture out onto a lined dehydrator sheet about an inch thick in a rectangle, and cut into 24 bars. Dehydrate for about 6-8 hours at 115 degrees until they are set but still chewy. Enjoy!