How to Make Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars - A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking for a delicious and nutritious snack to boost your energy throughout the day, look no further than Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars. Packed with wholesome ingredients and a rich chocolate flavor, these bars are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while fueling your body with much-needed energy.

Created by culinary expert Chef John, these energy bars are carefully crafted to provide a balance of proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Each ingredie...

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups pitted Medjool dates, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups raw cashews
  • 1 cup raw or roasted unsalted almonds
  • ¾ cup high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Guittard® Cocoa Rouge)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon cold espresso, or more as needed (or water)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ pinch cayenne pepper

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 12 bars

  • Place cashews, almonds, coconut, dates, cocoa, coconut oil, vanilla, cold coffee, cayenne and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off to start. Process about 1 minute; check to ensure mixture is sticky and moist enough to stick together. Add more coffee if needed. Continue to process until mixture becomes a chunky mass.
  • Line a baking pan with plastic wrap. Scoop mixture into pan. Press down with a spatula until mixture is even. Place a layer of plastic wrap on the surface and smooth again with your hands.
  • Refrigerate until cold and firm, 2 or 3 hours.
  • Remove from the pan and unwrap. Cut into bars of your preferred size. Store in a zip top back in the refrigerator.
  • Nutrition

    343 cal.

    • Total Fat: 22g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Sodium: 230mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 36g
    • Dietary Fiber: 7g
    • Total Sugars: 21g
    • Protein: 8g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 59mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 515mg