Chocolate Peanut-Butter Energy Bars
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups barley flakes or rolled oats
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 13- x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and peanut butter until well combined. Beat in eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture. Add barley flakes (or rolled oats), cranberries, peanuts, and 3/4 cup chocolate chips, stirring to combine.
3. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned and firm to the touch. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
4. In a small bowl set in a pan of simmering water, melt remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. With fork, drizzle chocolate over bars; refrigerate until set. Cut into 24 bars.
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Yield: Makes 24 bars (serving size: 1 bar)
Nutritional Information
| Calories per serving: | 176 |
|---|---|
| Fat per serving: | 8.2g |
| Saturated fat per serving: | 2.3g |
| Monounsaturated fat per serving: | 3.7g |
| Polyunsaturated fat per serving: | 1.8g |
| Protein per serving: | 4g |
| Carbohydrates per serving: | 24g |
| Fiber per serving: | 2g |
| Cholesterol per serving: | 16mg |
| Iron per serving: | 1mg |
| Sodium per serving: | 62mg |
| Calcium per serving: | 18mg |
Good to Know
These treats not only taste better than most energy bars, but the peanuts may help prevent a blood-sugar spike, and both dark chocolate and cranberries are great choices for heart health.
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