Raw chocolate hazelnut bars
It's 'Sugar Free September' and i've been busy keeping you posted with tips and tricks for a sugar free life over on my Facebook and Instagram. Here's what you might have missed so far... (click to enlarge)
So, I figured you'd be needing a simple little sugar free hit to help you on your way- yes??
Well I'd better not disappoint!
I used some hazelnut butter than I found buried way in my baking box- delicious- like eating fererro rocher! If you are not a fan of hazelnut... try these choc-orange goji bites- they've been a big hit with readers and my family!
In other news I took part in a health and healing fair today... I had a stand with my Wholeplus foodie bits as well as my health coaching info with upcoming talks and seminars. The guy next to me is my awesome friend and also my personal trainer Toby Channon who shared my stand, he also shares the love of plant based nutrition (we have epically long conversations on the topic!) and he posts some good stuff- some serious and some funny, on his Facebook page and his blog if you fancy a mooch over there.
I also gave a talk on going sugar free at the event which went down well.... I really love inspiring people when it comes to healthy indulgent nutrition.
Apologies for the photo quality, my dad took it with a camera phone and the lighting was not ideal!
On that note... go and make these right now!! ;-)
Recipe: Raw chocolate hazelnut bars
Ingredients:
3 cups packed dates
½ cup desiccated coconut or ground almonds or hazelnuts*
½ cup oatmeal*
1/3 cup cocoa
2 tbs hazelnut butter
1 tsp hazelnut extract
½ cup roasted hazelnuts
Method:
Roast the hazelnuts for 5 minutes to lightly toast for best flavour (if not pre-roasted). Meanwhile blend all remaining ingredients in a food processor until you have a slightly sticky well blended mix.
Press mix firmly into a small (approx 9” square) pan lined with parchment for easy removal. Press the roasted hazelnuts into the mix and chill for min. 1 hour before slicing into squares or as desired.
You could also roll these into small balls with a hazelnut in the centre of each.
These also frees well, and keeping the fridge for ages... a good excuse to make a big batch!
*I didn’t have enough hazelnuts to use ground hazelnuts so used coconut instead. If you use roasted hazel nuts here you may be able to omit the hazelnut butter and/or the extract. Instead of oats, ground buckwheat or more ground nuts could work.