Sales of energy bars have sky rocketed from moms on the go, home chefs, casual or endurance athletes, teens, and just about everyone. I am so excited about the new book, Power Hungry, The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook, by Camilla V. Saulsbury as she challenges store-bought snacks with 150 fabulous homemade bar recipes. Her recipes are 100% soy free and highly adaptable for gluten free, vegan and even Paleo diets. In this recipe for Moonbeam Bars, the brown crisp rice base renders the bars light and crisp, while the additions of oats and protein power lend enough substance to stave off hunger for hours. Nut (or seed) butter adds depth and subtle natural sweetness, and of course a thin schmear of white chocolate, dark chocolate, or Greek yogurt coating tops things off in the most delicious way (you could leave it off…but why?).
I am giving away 3 copies! YES 3!! To win a copy of this cookbook, tell me your favorite healthy go-to snack. A winner will be drawn randomly on October 30th at 8 a.m.
For more chances to win do the following and leave a comment letting me know you did:
1. Like Ingredients, Inc. on Facebook
2. Follow Alison Lewis on Twitter
2. Follow Alison Lewis on Pinterest
CAMILLA’S BAR TIPS
I mean it when I say firmly compact the bars. Press, press, press, and then press again! Thirty seconds of effort will pay off with bars that hold together every time.
If you don’t want to use protein powder, you don’t have to; simply increase the total amount of oats by 2 tablespoons. Alternatively, you can add 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal or 3 tablespoons of nonfat instant milk powder.
BAR KEEPING
Tightly wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap.
ROOM TEMP: 2 days
REFRIGERATOR: 2 weeks
FREEZER: 3 months in airtight container; thaw 1/2 hour
BAR VARIATIONS
ZESTY LEMON OR LIME BARS
Prepare as directed but omit the cranberries; use any flavor nut or seed butter except peanut. Use 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon or lime zest in place of the orange zest. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice along with the salt. Use the White Chocolate Bar Coating (see below).
JOY OF ALMOND BARS
Use almond butter for the nut butter and omit the cranberries and orange zest. Reduce the total amount of crisp rice cereal to 2 cups and to it add 1/2 cup unsweetened flake or shredded coconut, chopped. Add 3/4 teaspoon almond extract along with the salt. Use the Chocolate Bar Coating (see below).
CHOCOLATE-COVERED CANDY
CANE BARS
Use any flavor nut or seed butter except peanut. Omit the cranberries and orange zest and add 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract along with the salt. Use either the Chocolate Bar Coating or White Chocolate Bar Coating (see below).
WHITE CHOCOLATE MACADAMIA BARS
Use any flavor nut or seed butter except peanut and omit the cranberries and orange zest. Reduce the total amount of crisp rice cereal to 2 cups and to it add 1/4 cup roasted macadamia nuts, chopped. Add 1 teaspoon pure maple extract along with the salt. Use the White Chocolate Bar Coating (see below).
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BARS
Prepare as directed, but omit the cranberries and orange zest. Use an equal amount of lightly packed all-natural, sweetened chocolate protein powder in place of vanilla. Add 1 tablespoon natural, unsweetened cocoa powder along with the salt. Use the Chocolate or White Chocolate Bar Coating (see below).
CHOCOLATE OR
WHITE CHOCOLATE COATING
MELT 1/3 cup semisweet, bittersweet, or natural white chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler according to the package directions.
WHISK in 2 teaspoons virgin coconut oil until blended
SPREAD or drizzle over cooled, uncut bars. Alternatively, dunk the ends of cut bars and place on an unlined cookie sheet.
REFRIGERATE for 30 minutes until the coating has hardened.
MAKES enough to coat one 8- to 9-inch pan of bars (double the recipe for a 9 by 13-inch pan)
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