If you like Reese's peanut butter cups, you'll probably like these bars. Unlike the commercial version, though, these simple-to-make treats don't have loads of sugar in them. The sweetness in the bars comes from date puree, not sugar or weird artificial sweeteners (see https://www.thenfeedthem.com/post/how-to-make-date-puree-and-why-you-should-especially-if-you-re-diabetic-or-cutting-back-on-sugar for how to make the date puree--it's easy!). In terms of nutrition, the bars are full of whole grain oats, protein-rich peanuts, fiber, and beneficial vitamins and minerals. In other words, the bars are "worth eating" from the nutritional standpoint. In moderation (of course!) the bars are great if you're on a diabetic diet or if you simply want to "eat healthy." I like the bars because they taste good. They are creamy, nutty, full of peanut flavor, and topped with dark chocolate. To make the bars, you'll need a food processor (or blender). You'll use the processor to grind up most of the ingredients, including dry-roasted peanuts, which will turn into peanut butter (without added sugar in it!). Then you simply press the mixture in a pan, top it with melted chocolate and peanuts, and refrigerate the mixture until the chocolate hardens. The bars are rich, so I recommend cutting them into small squares. Enjoy!
No Bake, Low Sugar Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars -- Makes an 8-inch Pan
1 cup of rolled oats (Old Fashioned)
1 1/2 cups of dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts, plus extra (1/4-1/2 cup) to top the bars
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of date puree
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
Line an 8-inch square pan with baking parchment or aluminum foil and spritz the parchment/foil well with non-stick cooking spray. To the bowl of a food processor with the S-blade add the oats, peanuts, and salt. Pulse them together until the oats break down and the peanuts are fully incorporated. Add the date puree and vanilla and pulse them in until fully incorporated and the mixture makes a sticky ball in the food processor bowl. Carefully remove the S-blade and dump the mixture into the prepared pan. With a spatula, the back of a spoon, or your damp hands, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe cup and microwave them on high for 30 seconds. Let the chocolate sit for a minute or two. Stir the chocolate and microwave it for another 15-20 seconds if it isn't sufficiently smooth. Stir the chocolate well again and spread it evenly over the peanut mixture. Chop the remaining dry-roasted peanuts, sprinkle them evenly over the chocolate, and press them gently into the chocolate with the back of a spoon or your fingers. Refrigerate the chocolate-topped mixture for at least an hour to let the chocolate harden. Cut the mixture into small squares or bars to serve and store any remaining bars in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Yumm!