Primal Energy Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup pecans

1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/4 cup almond butter (you can use cashew, hazelnut, walnut or pumpkinseed butter)

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup almond meal (if you don’t have this on hand, make your own. Pulse 1/4 cup of almonds until it creates a coarse flour. Watch carefully, as, if you over-pulse, you will end up with almond butter.)

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp raw honey (optional)

1/2 cup unsweetened whey protein powder (60 grams)

1 large egg

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries or blueberries

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut

Method:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

On a baking sheet, toast nuts and shredded coconut until golden brown. Shake the pan a couple of times during cooking to toast evenly. I suggest toasting the coconut on a separate pan for easier removal (it browns at a different speed than the nuts). And note that the toasting can be done ahead of time. I usually toast nuts when I purchase them, then store them in the freezer until I need them for a recipe.

Put the toasted nuts and coconut into a food processor and pulse until nuts are chopped and the mixture is the consistency of bread crumbs.

Put the coconut oil and almond butter in a mixing bowl and microwave until melted (about 30 seconds). Stir until smooth.

Add vanilla extract, honey (if using) and sea salt. Mix thoroughly.

Add whey powder and nut/coconut mixture and mix until well incorporated.

Add egg and mix again.

Fold in the dried berries.

Press the mixture into an 8 x 8″ pan and bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven, sprinkle the last 1/4 cup of coconut on top and place under the broiler until the top begins to brown (be careful not to burn it!)

Let cool for 10-15 minutes, then cut into 12 pieces.

Store in an airtight container with wax paper between the pieces (to make them easier to remove).

Nutritional Info:

for 1/12 of the batch.

Calories: 184

Fat: 15.4 grams

Protein: 7.5 grams

From: Mark’s Daily Apple