Crispy Chocolate Coconut No Bake Energy Bars and This Week's Eats 3.30.14

After making those Shutterbean energy bars (that freeze so nicely), I got on a bit of an energy bar kick in the last couple of weeks.  I've experimented with a lot of different recipes, combining them and making substitutions.  My favorites always start with dates, and must include chocolate, almonds and coconut.  I've come up with a winner that hopefully you'll enjoy, too:

Crispy Chocolate Coconut No Bake Energy Bars

• 1/2 Cup Almond Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
• 8 Medjool Dates (pitted)
• 1/2 Cup Almonds
• 1/2 Cup Walnuts
• 1/2 Cup of Crispy Rice Cereal (like Rice Krispies, I stole some of my kids Nature's Path Chocolate Koala Crisp for extra chocolatey goodness)
• 1/4 Cup + 2 Tablespoons (divided) Shredded Sweetened Coconut
• 2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds
• 1/4 Cup Honey
• 1/3 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

Set aside the 2 tablespoons of coconut and chocolate chips, then combine all remaining ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.  Chop until it forms a thick dough and all of the dates are well incorporated, about five minutes.  (If your dates are really dry, soak them in some warm water for a few minutes and drain before using.)  Add in chocolate chips and give dough a few quick pulses, just to incorporate.  Press dough evenly into an 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper or coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of coconut evenly over the top and press into the dough.  Freeze about 2 hours or until set.  Cut into whatever size bar you like.  

For a snack size, you can cut into 16 squares.  I like to eat them for breakfast, so I make 8 bars and put them back into the freezer in between pieces of parchment.  When I'm ready to eat one, I just take a bar out and let it thaw for a few minutes on the counter - yep, just a couple of minutes and they're good to go straight from the freezer!

This week's eats:

• Monday - Pizza 
• Tuesday - Ginger Sesame Chicken Salad
• Wednesday - Out to dinner and a viewing of Divergent!
• Thursday - Juicy Lucy Turkey Burgers (from the Keepers cookbook)
• Friday - Creamy Pesto Caprese Pasta (new recipe found via Pinterest)
• Saturday - Roast Beef with Marsala Mushroom Sauce and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes (I found a BOGO sale on top round roasts, and it's been an age since we made roast beef - the link is a similar recipe to one I've had forever.)
• Sunday - Burrito Bowls with Creamy Chipotle Sauce (adding some slow cooked chicken to this new recipe found via Pinterest)

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!