No-Bake Choco-Prune Power Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mariani Pitted Prunes, chopped (175 g)
- 1¼ cups rolled oats (110–115 g)
- ¼ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder (25 g)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup (80 ml)
- ¼ cup sunflower seed butter (60 g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)
- Pinch of fine salt
- 2–3 tbsp sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (20–30 g), for topping
- 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- 1. Line an 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm) pan with parchment, leaving a little overhang so you can lift the bars out later.
- 2. In a medium bowl, whisk the oats and cocoa powder, then stir in the chopped prunes so they are coated.
- 3. Warm the sunflower seed butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.
- 4. Pour the warm mixture over the oat mixture and stir until fully combined and evenly sticky.
- 5. Scrape it into the lined pan and press it in very firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or a piece of parchment. Sprinkle the sunflower or pumpkin seeds on top and press them lightly so they stick.
- 6. Refrigerate for at least 1½ hours, until firm all the way through. Lift out using the parchment and cut into 16 bars with a sharp knife.
- Nice touch: Stir in 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips before pressing the mixture into the pan for extra fudgy pockets.
