JOANA MIRANDA STUDIO

Perhaps because I knew I’d be having an insane work schedule this week, my forays in the world of healthy baking (and eating) continued with attempts at homemade power bars.  I found this site with various recipes for DIY power bars online, and decided to make the first two recipes.   These recipes contain a ton of protein and good-for-you ingredients but have none of the added sugars and preservatives that you’ll find in commercial power bars.  (Note: The Toasted Coconut and Vanilla Whey Protein Bars came out nicely, however I am focusing this post on the Orange and Goji Berry Whey Protein Bars which is the second recipe listed on the site)

Orange and Goji Berry Whey Protein Bars

First I assembled my ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of Organic Unflavored or Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
• 3/4 cup of Ground Almonds
• 1/4 cup of Coconut Flour
• 3/4 cup of Goji Berries
• 1/4 cup of Coconut Milk (from the carton, not the can) *I used 1% lowfat milk
• 1 tbsp of Vanilla Essence
• 1 tbsp of grated Orange Rind (optional, but highly recommended!)
• 1 tsp of Chili Powder (optional but highly recommended; it gives the bars a really nice kick)
• 40 grams melted 85% Dark Chocolate

Then I mixed the ingredients  by hand in a medium sized mixing bowl while melting the chocolate in double boiler.  I was impressed that the ingredient measurements came together into a workable stiff dough (think PlayDoh consistency) without my having to fuss with adding more milk or almond flour.  From here it was on to shaping the dough into a “brick” so that I could then cut the brick into bar sized portions.

Dunking the bars into the melted 85% chocolate was also surprisingly easy since they  held their shape and remained intact.

After cleaning off my chocolate en-robed fingertips, I popped the bars into the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.  I’ll confess that I was a bit afraid that the bars might not be sweet enough since 85% chocolate is fairly bitter. However, later when I bit into a bar, I was delighted to find just the right balance of flavors.  The orange zest brings a brightness to the nutty base of the bars and the goji berries add a pleasant tang.  The chocolate is the crowning touch providing just the right balance of sweetness.