Chocolate Chunk Energy Cookies

I had some time yesterday to go through my stats from last year and identify our 25 Top Recipes of 2013. I put all of them on a handy Pinterest board if you're interested to check them out and try them (and share, if you want!) if you haven't had the chance. What I've discovered time and time again is that you guys like homemade energy bars.

So do I!

We make them often, but I don't always share the recipes because they're gobbled up quickly. This particular recipe I'm sharing today is something I like to eat before/after my runs. Sometimes I even use it as a healthier alternative to dessert. Energy bars aren't always low in calories, but they have a good mix of natural sugars and good protein sources to keep your body feeling strong and your hunger at bay.

This batch features 85% cocoa chocolate chunks from Aldi.

CHOCOLATE CHUNK ENERGY COOKIES
vegan + gluten-free recipe, makes 24

What you'll need . . . 

• 1 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 1-1/2 cups rolled oats (uncooked -- use GF if you are gluten-sensitive)
• 2 tablespoons flax meal
• 2-3 ounces dark chocolate, pulsed 

Method . . . 

1. Place all ingredients -- except 1/2 cup of the oats, flax meal, and chocolate -- into your food processor and pulse until it sticks together.
2. Then pour into a large bowl and add the oats, flax meal, and chocolate chunks. Mix with a spoon or by hand until well incorporated.
3. Then scoop out by the tablespoonful and form into "cookies" in the palm of your hand. 
4. I store mine in the fridge in an air-tight container for easy grabbing.

Nutrition info: 125 calories each, 13g carbs, 7g fat, 3g protein, 7g sugar

// SIMILAR RECIPES

• Chocolate Almond Butter Energy Chunks
• Cookie Dough Balls
• Double-Chocolate Granola-ish Bars
• Nutella Balls
• Cocoa-Hazelnut Energy Chunks
• Maple-Walnut Energy Chunks
• Marathon Chunks
• Chocolate-PB Energy Chunk
• Cacao Energy Chunk
• Runner's World Energy Bars
• Choc-PPB Energy BARS

PS: There's a great sale on Athleta dresses and activewear today on Zulily. I ordered this dress with the last of my Christmas money (Yes, I still had some! Even I can't believe that!). Can't wait until summer. Seriously. 

As the ice starts to fall outside. Ughhhh...

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Energy Bars

I've been making a point to have these in the fridge at all times. Especially with gluten-free month, it's been a necessity to have something easy to grab and go. Oh, Ada calls them "cookies" . . . and they're simple enough for me to feel fine about giving them to her.

(Healthy) cookie!

Using a muffin tin is optional, but highly recommended to make them feel more like a bar. I gobble up energy balls like crazy. Before I know it, they're all gone. These flattened rounds seem to last a bit longer. Or satisfy better.

Something!


CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BARS
* you can easily substitute in whatever "nut" butter you choose

What you'll need . . . 

• 1 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes (I only had reduced fat on hand, but I'm sure regular works)
• 1-1/2 cup rolled oats, uncooked
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• coconut oil (optional -- for greasing muffin tins)

Method . . . 

1. Place all ingredients in your food processor -- save 1/2 cup of the oats.
2. Pulse 5 to 7 times, then add the rest of the oats and continue pulsing until well incorporated, but still somewhat coarse.
3. Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls into a regular muffin tin. Then flatten with your fingers -- but I also found that a round spice container covered in plastic wrap was the BEST tool to flatten uniformly and easily.
4. Store in the fridge until hardened, about an hour. Then store in an airtight container for a week or two, maybe longer -- but they won't last that long.

These are vegan, gluten-free (if you use GF oats), and -- as I mentioned above -- can also be peanut-free. I made them with homemade almond butter and they turned our fabulously. I am also sure you could use dates in place of raisins. And maybe honey for the maple syrup.

There's opportunity for variations, that much I know.

And I plan to play around and give you some ideas soon. These bars are perfect for pre- and post-run fueling. I think I may try to craft the perfect combo for my marathon training. I hate gels and other store-bought energy aids.

Happy Tuesday -- you have time to make these NOW!

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Our Recipes: Snacks, Starters, and Energy Chunks

SNACKS, STARTERS, AND ENERGY CHUNKS:

• Cookie Dough Balls*
• Healthy, Homemade Couscous Crackers*
• Double-Chocolate Granola-ish Bars
• Nutella Balls
• Vegan Tofu Wings*
• Flax Crackers*
• Three Seed Crackers*
• Goat Cheese Bruschetta
• Roasted Pears with Brie
• Dessert Parsnip Fries
• Cocoa-Hazelnut Energy Chunks*
• Maple-Walnut Energy Chunks*
• Marathon Chunks*
• Chocolate-PB Energy Chunk
• Cacao Energy Chunk*
• Runner's World Energy Bars

* means VEGAN

BACK TO ALL RECIPES >>>

OR BROWSE BY CATEGORY:

GRANOLA & OATS	PANCAKES, ETC.	SMOOTHIES
SPREAD, SAUCES, DIPS	SALADS	SOUPS & STEWS
SNACKS & STARTERS	SANDWICHES & BURGERS	PIZZA, ETC.
STIR-FRIES, ETC.	OTHER MEALS	BREADS
CAKES & CUPCAKES	COOKIES & BROWNIES	PIES & TARTS
ICE CREAM & PUDDING	DRINKS	CONVERSIONS

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Vegan Energy Bars

From the METHOD archives: When I lived in Ithaca, my favorite natural foods store carried these amazing energy chunks made with various healthy ingredients . . . but also usually with chocolate in the mix somewhere. So, when I was flipping through the latest copy of Runner’s World yesterday, page 41’s quick energy bar recipe caught my eye.

Now, I’ve modified these quite heavily to my taste. The original recipe calls for sunflower seeds, dates, tahini in place of peanut butter, etc. So, as always, experiment by adding your own favorite ingredients. I highly recommend adding pretzel chunks. Sweet & salty.

YUM.

Baking, yes. But these treats are for more than just satisfying your sweet tooth. The ingredients are meant to charge you with energy. Great for before a run . . . or when you’re on the run. In fact, I’m eating a chunk of the stuff for lunch today.

SUPER-CHARGED ENERGY BARS

What you’ll need . . .

• 2 cups quick oats (I used multigrain hot cereal)
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup crushed pretzels
• 1/2 cup crushed walnuts
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
• 1-1/2 cups natural peanut butter
• 1 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  
  
  

Method . . .

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, coconut flakes, pretzels, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, and raisins.
3. Mix together peanut butter, honey, and vanilla in a small bowl, then microwave on high for 1 minute.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients (I found I needed to transfer it over to my mixer because it was difficult to mix manually). And add chocolate chips, if desired.
5. Generously grease (with your favorite butter substitute) a baking sheet (I used my 9” x 13” brownie pan) and pour in mixture. Press into the pan – bars should be 1 inch thick (or so).
6. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating pan at the half-way point.
7. Let cool, refrigerate, cut into approx. 12 bars, and enjoy.
8. You may also wish to just turn the mix into granola, in which case, you can simply let cool and crumble.

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