Energy Bars of Goodness

Since giving up biscuits for Lent I'm noticing a huge energy slump around 10.30am. While everyone in the staffroom is dunking biscuits into their tea I'm craving sugar. I eat quite a bit of fruit during the day and wanted to find something a bit different that would cure my energy slump, but also be good for me. Earlier today came across a recipe for energy bars, but has it was american it had ingredients I can't get in the UK. So I took the recipe, tweaked it, converted it to grams and here is my version.

They are delicious, the perfect sweetness and consistency and will certainly be making a regular appearances in our lunchboxes. They certainly don't taste like they are crammed with goodness!

Energy Bars of Goodness
Makes 12

35g sesame seeds
25g flaked almonds
40g currants
60g dried apricots
40g dates
30g dried cranberries
250g muesli base (from Holland & Barrat)
110g honey
250g crunchy peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp water

1) Toast sesame seeds and almonds until golden. Set aside.

2) Pulse currants, apricots, dates and cranberries until the consistency of sweet mincemeat. Mix minced fruit with muesli base, almonds and sesame seeds until well mixed. It's easier to use your hands to rub the fruit into the dry ingredients.

3) In a small saucepan on a low heat, gently heat peanut butter, honey, vanilla and water for around 6 min. Regularly stir as it can catch on the bottom of the pan. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

4)Add peanut butter mix to the muesli mix and combine. Again it is easier to use your hands, just be careful as the peanut butter can be a bit hot!

5) Line a 8" by 8" tin with baking parchment. Press mix into tin. You can be quite firm as you want the mix to stick together. Allow to set at room temperature for 2 hours.

Print this post