This month’s healthy recipe of the month is our version of “After Eight” Bars, courtesy of FIT CHICK Steph. As late snacking can lead to sugar binges we have renamed these tasty treats “Before 7” bars!

These bars make a great treat or pre-workout snack! It’s a great idea to pre-portion them, wrap ’em and keep them in the freezer for portion control 😉 This is a vegan recipe, but feel free to sub dark chocolate chips and cocoa for the carob if you prefer. Enjoy, Chicks!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup flaxseed
• 1 cup spelt flour  (or flour of choice)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds  (or seed of choice)
• 1/2 cup ground nuts (or nut of choice)
• 1/2 cup of dates (soaked and mashed into a paste so mixes easily)
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 2/3 cup of coconut oil
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 2 tbsp carob powder
• 1 cup refrigerated carob chips

Directions:

• Preheat oven  to 325 and grease a large pan with coconut oil.
• Mix dry ingredients (except the carob chips!), then add the liquid ingredients.
• If the mix is too dry, add a little milk or water; if it’s too moist, add nuts or seeds. You should be able to pack it like a  snowball!
• Finally, add the carob chips
• Press firmly in pan, completely flat. Press edges down
• Bake 12-15 min until edges are golden brown
• Let cool till warm 10-15 min, then cut. DON’T  REMOVE from the pan! They will break apart if they aren’t cool.

Let cool completely to room temp before removing bars, and try not to eat them all!