Choc fudge oat brownie
I have been thinking lately about the fact that I always seem to be dieting, which just makes me feel depressed and deprived.. and suddenly I realised that I should probably just focus on eating healthy instead of counting calories. I've been needing some sort of healthy snack to get me through the afternoons. Some of the local cafes near my workplace charge up to $7.50 for a piece of 'healthy' slice - which is just ludicrous, when a) I can probably buy ingredients for a whole slice for that price and b) I am more than capable of making my own. And so are YOU! Incorporate a snack into your Sunday meal prep and you could be saving up to $20 a week from not buying snacks, not to mention you know what went into it. I created this recipe when I was trying to find a recipe online for date bars / protein balls / healthy muesli bars but nothing was taking my fancy. Remember that just because it is HEALTHY and WHOLESOME and REFINED SUGAR FREE, doesn't mean that it's calorie or fat free (sadly)! Everything in moderation!
Ingredients
2 cups pitted medjool dates, soaked in warm water for 15 minutes (and then drained)
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup rice malt syrup
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Grease and line a lamington tin.
1. Place almonds and walnuts in food processor and blend until it resembles breadcrumbs
2. Add oats and cocoa into food processor and pulse until combined
3. Add dates and process until combined and it all sticks together in a paste
4. Turn food processor contents into a large bowl and add coconut, mix well
5. Melt peanut butter and rice malt syrup in a saucepan (on low heat so it doesn't burn) so it's pouring consistency
6. Add melted peanut butter mix to the bowl with the dry ingredients and dates.
7. Mix well to combine and press the mixture into the slice tin
8. Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes
9. Slice into desired size pieces and allow to cool completely before storing in the fridge in an airtight container.