Cookie or Energy Bar? You decide...

And yet again, in my constant quest to find a healthy dessert that's still appealing to the masses, I have created something that walks the line between cookie and energy bar. It tastes like a cookie, but the ingredient list reads more like the latter. Personally, I like to think of them as energy bars because then you can eat them whenever. You know, if you need a little pick me up before doing all the important things it is you do, you can just grab one of these because they're energy bars packed full of good for you stuff. And really the only questionable ingredient is the chocolate, which in my mind is a food group all it's own, equally as important as vegetables or grains. A little chocolate is good for you plus it's an all natural mood enhancer, and you can't really go wrong with that.

So, I'm going to leave the final decision up to you, but I think I've made a pretty convincing argument for why you should think happy, healthy thoughts when eating these.

Coconut Date Bars

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup dates
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 Tbs brown sugar
• 1/3 cup virgin coconut oil (liquid at room temperature)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup flax meal
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and lightly grease and 8"x8" baking dish.

Use a food processor to pulse one cup of the oats until it becomes a fine flour. Remove to a medium bowl and add the white whole wheat flour, coconut flakes, salt, and baking soda. Mix together and set aside.

Next grind the almonds in the food processor until they become a fine meal, remove and set aside.

Place dates in processor and pulse until they become a paste, remove and set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together honey, sugar, and oil. Add egg and beat until well combined. Mix in flax meal, almond meal, dates, and remaining cup of oats. Then gradually beat in flour mixture. Next stir in the chocolate chips by hand.

Transfer to prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top becomes golden brown. Let cool before slicing.

Comments

[jake]

hey ur food blog is way better than mine, I gotta step up my game.

I love that ur doing this. check mine out some time.

[Jessie Anderson]

I didn't know you had a blog, I like it! I tried to leave a comment there but it wouldn't let me, it said my credentials couldn't be verified or something like that...damn computers.

[jane]

jessie, those look amazing. i couldn't say if they are dessert or what, but i wouldn't turn on down right now!