Nut Bars Recipe Healthy Food

HEALTHY NUT BARS

Steps:

• Lightly warm all the ingredients.
• Mix all other ingredients together in a bowl except the honey, golden syrup, tahini and the LSA.
• Add the honey, syrup, tahini and mix well together.
• Add 1/3 cup of the LSA and as much more to 1/2 cup as required to bind the mixture together then spread onto a tray lined with baking paper.
• Spread evenly and allow to set (20 mins in the fridge should do it). Warming the honey/golden syrup a little enables them to combine more easily and the LSA helps to bind the mixture.
• Cut into bars and eat just as they are or coat in chocolate.
• Chocolate dip: Melt 400g chocolate in a bowl over a water bath until the temperature of the chocolate mass is 43C, remove from water bath & fold in the 200g grated chocolate which should lower temp to 35C as it melts. The chocolate is now tempered and ready to use.(There is a 2-3 degree C window of variation working with chocolate.).
• ***If your palate is more savoury try 3/4 cup tahini & ¾ cup of honey & omit the golden syrup.

DARK CHOCOLATE NUT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush an 8-by-8-inch dish with 1 teaspoon of the coconut oil and set aside.
• Combine the coconut flakes, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, trail mix and flaxseed and spread into an even layer on a baking sheet. Toast until lightly golden, 10 to 12 minutes, then transfer to a large heatproof bowl. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, honey and 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the temperature on a candy thermometer reads 260 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Immediately pour over the nut mixture and stir to coat. Use a rubber spatula to press the mixture into the prepared dish and let cool until set, about 30 minutes.
• To make the chocolate drizzle, combine the chocolate chips and remaining 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a medium heatproof bowl and place over a small pot of simmering water. Heat, stirring, until melted and smooth. (Alternatively, combine the chocolate and oil and microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring often, until melted and smooth.)
• Drizzle the chocolate over the mixture. When set, cut into bars and serve.

STARBUCKS CHEWY FRUIT AND NUT BARS

Steps:

• Ingredient note: look in your health food aisle for a healthy alternative to Rice Krispies. The brand I found is made by Enviro-Kidz and uses BROWN rice.
• Prepare 9x13 pan with non-stick spray (or line with parchment paper).
• In a large mixing bowl, toss all dry ingredients. Feel free to substitute your preferred nut or dried fruit.
• In a saucepan, combine brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and allow to boil one minute. (Note: boiling the sugars is what helps the bars become firm and not sticky, so this step is important).
• After boiling, turn off heat; add vanilla and peanut butter. QUICKLY pour this hot mixture over the dry ingredients and toss to combine.
• Pour warm mixture into prepared pan. Wet your fingers and press the mixture down into the pan to compress the bars so they will slice evenly.
• When cool, use a sharp knife to cut into 18 bars (1 long lengthwise cut and 9 cuts across). Enjoy with a hot cup of Starbucks coffee for an authentic experience!
• Note: Starbucks does not list corn syrup in their ingredients, but the sweetener in their list is not readily available. I tried using Maple Syrup, but the bars were very crumbly and would not stay together in bars. Therefore, I found that Corn Syrup is the best ingredient that is readily available.

CRANBERRY CINNAMON NUT BARS

Steps:

• CRUST:
• COMBINE all ingredients, mixing until crumbly. Press firmly into greased 13"x9" cake pan.
• BAKE at 350°F for 15-18 minutes, or until light golden.
• TOPPING:
• BEAT eggs, sugar, corn syrup and melted butter together until blended. Stir in cinnamon chips, cranberries and walnuts. Pour evenly over crust.
• BAKE for about 30-35 minutes longer, or until set and golden. Cool completely, then cut into bars.