Chocolate energy bars (raw)

Do you want a truly healthy snack that gives you energy? Try this! This easy, quick recipe makes 8 energy bars.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup almonds
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup dates
1/2 cup dried cherries (or other fruit)
2 T raw agave nectar
1 t vanilla

Optional chocolate topping ingredients:
Equal parts pure maple syrup and raw cocoa powder


Directions:

Place all ingredients (except the chocolate topping) into food processor. NOTE: You can leave out the sunflower or pumpkin seeds until the rest is blended, if you prefer, and just stir them in by hand. BLEND until evenly chunky and sticky.

This is the fun part! Now, just pour the mixture into a small, square pan. You may slightly oil pan with olive oil, if you are afraid it will stick. Press evenly. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour so the mixture may harden slightly. When you remove from the fridge, simply slice into desired size squares.



Remove from the original dish. Flip and re-press each bar to make sure they are solid.

Now is the time that I mix the chocolate topping. Mix at little as 2 T of each to as much as twice that amount! It all depends on how much chocolate you want. I find that flexible, plastic forks mix the syrup and cocoa best.



Now pour the chocolate onto each of your energy bars. Freeze to help the chocolate mixture harden - then return to fridge and they're ready!



Enjoy!