homemade chocolate almond energy bars

I am surrounded by runners -- not just your every-day-I-think-I-will-go-out-for-a-leisurely-jog runner, but hardcore I-think-I-will-run-a-marathon runners!

I am not a runner. I try to get out there and run a few miles, but my boredom gets the best of me. I know there are many people who love the freedom it gives them to be able to put on a pair of shoes and leave the stress of family, work and financial obligations behind. I know the health and weight benefits that running provides, but as much as I want to be one of those people, I just can’t get past the monotony and boredom of a long run. But….. I live with a family of runners, and I am their biggest supporter. You will always find me on the sidelines cheering for them at their next big race. I will always be there with a water bottle of Gatorade and a Clif bar to congratulate them on their accomplishment. I will always be their biggest fan.

Clif bars and energy bars are one of the mainstays at any race and in many runners’ diets, but they are packed full of preservatives and are quite expensive! Being a chef and a supporting runner’s wife I thought, "How hard can it be to make a more nutritious and natural bar for the runners in my life?" I made them today and it was easy, tastier, lower in calories, and a lot cheaper! So if you have a runner, athlete, or health conscience person in your life (or if YOU are one), share the love and make this delicious and nutritious energy bar!

Homemade Energy Bars - Cherry Chocolate Almond & Peanut Butter

Ingredients:

  • 1 and 1/4 cups of Gluten Free Rice Krispies
  • 1 cup of uncooked quick-cooking oats
  • 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed meal
  • 1/4 cup of finely chopped dried cherries
  • 1/4 cup of finely chopped roasted almonds
  • 1/4 cup of honey
  • 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup of peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Krispies, quick-cooking oats, flaxseed meal, dried cherries, chopped almonds and chocolate chips.

Combine the honey and dark brown sugar in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Heat to a boil and continue for one minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract until your mixture is blended.

Pour the liquid mixture over the dry mixture, and stir until evenly coated. As the liquid cools, work quickly to work the ingredients together.

Spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray and press the mixture into the pan. Use wax paper to help press the mixture flat

Allow the pan to cool for about an hour and cut into 12 energy bars, wrap in parchment and place in fridge until you are ready to enjoy!

To store the chocolate energy bars, wrap them and store them in the refrigerator. For long term storage, you can freeze the bars.

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