Indulgent Chocolate Energy Bars

Well, aren't these fabulous?

I love these bars! They're easy to make, uber-chocolaty, and they satisfy hunger better than any store-bought energy bar I've ever had! Read on to make them for yourself!

You will need:

That's 1/3 cup honey, 2/3 cup peanut butter (I've tried this with grind-your-own peanut butter and it ended up too dry and flaky, so I'm sticking with Skippy. Be sure to let me know if you come up with a healthier alternative!), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 cup coconut flakes, 1/4 cup dry milk powder, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 1/2 cups of rice cereal (if you can find brown rice cereal, that would be better than Rice Krispies - I just can't find any), 1/3 cup chocolate chips, and 2 T flaxseeds or flaxseed meal.

Keep in mind that any of these ingredients can be substituted for anything as long as you keep consistency and proportions the same. No peanut butter? Try another nut butter. Vegan? Use molasses. Feel free to omit the milk or cocoa powder. Replace the chocolate chips with whole nuts (or raisins if you're a pervert). Do whatever you want, just be sure to choose foods with similar textures and flavors that will complement.

Start by warming the honey, then mix in the peanut butter, creating a smooth paste.

Add the other ingredients, one at a time. Generally, it's easiest to start with the finest foods, like the milk, cocoa powder, and flaxseed meal, and then work up to the more chunky foods, like the cereal and chocolate chips.

By the time you're done stirring, your arm may be feeling the burn!

Press the mixture into an 8x8 pan, or, if you double the recipe, a 9x13 works well. I like to line the pan with aluminum foil, to make it easy to remove the bars later.

Place them in the refrigerator to harden.

After a few hours, remove and slice into bars.

It's best to store these in the fridge, since they are messier at room temperature. If you want them to be portable, wrap each one on a small piece of plastic wrap.

Mmmmm! Chocolate goodies that I don't have to feel QUITE so guilty about eating up!

Chocolate Energy Bars

1/3 cup honey
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup coconut flakes (trust me)
¼ cup dry milk powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 ½ cups brown rice cereal
1/3 cup chocolate chips (or carob if you’re a masochist)
2 tablespoons flaxseeds

Heat the honey in the microwave to make it easier to stir, pour in a large bowl, and then stir in the peanut butter. Add each item in order, stirring after each addition. Line a 8x8 baking dish with foil or waxed paper. Put the mixture in the dish and press it down into the pan. Place in the refrigerator to harden, then cut into bars and wrap with plastic wrap to make them portable!