PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE ENERGY BARS

PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE ENERGY BARS image

Yield 36 bars

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 1/2 cups unsalted peanuts (lightly roasted)
1 1/2 cups pitted dried dates, Medjool
1/4 tsp salt (omit if using salted peanuts)
1 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips.

Steps:

Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, let the ends of the paper hang over the edge. Combine peanuts, pitted dates and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 5-6 times to break up the ingredients. Remove the lid and break apart any clumps of dates. Replace the lid and process continuously for 1-1 1/2 minutes until the ingredients begin to clump together. When you remove the lid the ingredients may still look a little crumbly (like couscous), but should hold together when pressed in your fist. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the chocolate over the peanut date mixture. Replace the lid and pulse just 3-4 times to incorporate the chocolate. Transfer mixture to baking dish and press down firmly with palm of your hand. If desired, melt remaining chocolate chips in 15-second bursts in microwave, stirring between each burst. Pour melted chocolate over the bars and use spatula to spread it into an even layer. (I only used 1/2 cups chocolate in the bars, did not put any on top.)