Cinnamon Orange Energy Bars with Orange White Cacao Frosting
I am alway amazed at the difference in people’s body types, and their ability to burn or store their calories. I store, my sweetie burns. Maybe it is because he runs (fast) over 16 miles a week and throws in 3 weight workouts on top of it. But even if he didn’t, I can guarantee that if we ate the same amount, I would put on weight and he would maintain.
Part of that is the difference between men and woman but part is just simply biological. I am what is referred to in the horse world as “an easy keeper” meaning I don’t need many calories to sustain my weight.
When we are both eating high raw, my guy will start to drop weight. I have to work to get enough calories on his plate. And being vegan, when eating out for business lunches, if he is at a restaurant that doesn’t have vegan options, he ends up with a salad that just isn’t enough.
Yesterday, I decided that it was time to make him some super healthy energy bars because I can’t bare to have him eat any that have processed ingredients. I whipped up some almond butter, and got to work on making a delicious, protein-filled, calorie packed bar. Nuts, seeds, raw oats, and some lovely orange and cinnamon to top it off, these bars are full of nutritional powerhouse stars!
You can eat them as is or frost them with the lovely orange white chocolate glaze. I love them with the topping! There are quite a few ingredients but believe me, these go together very quickly! Pretty much dump and stir.
Each bar (unfrosted) has approximately 184 calories, with 6 grams of protein, 17 grams of carbs and 11 grams of fat. Low fat they are not, high energy, they are! Eliminating the coconut oil will reduce the fat by about 2 grams per serving.
Equipment needed:
Cinnamon Orange Energy Bars with Orange White Cacao Frosting
MAKES 28, 2x4-inch BARS
Bars
- 1 cup almond butter
- 6 dates, soaked and rinsed
- 1/4 cup date water (from soaking dates)
- 1/4 cup coconut butter, softened
- 1 orange, juice and zest from
- 3 tablespoons raw, organic agave nectar or other liquid sweetener (optional)
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup hemp seeds
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup raisins
- 3 cup raw oat flakes
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Combine the almond butter, coconut butter, dates and date water in a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend or process until smooth.
- Remove to large bowl and stir in coconut oil, orange juice, orange zest and liquid sweetener. Stir.
- Add the remaining ingredients.
- Roll out mixture between 2 sheets of parchment paper to 1/4″ thick. Remove to drying racks and place in oven (no heat!) overnight to dry. You can also leave them out on the counter but I have dogs.
- Frost with White Cacao Orange Glaze if desired.
Orange White Cacao Glaze
- 1/2 cup raw cacao butter
(not coconut butter) - 2 tablespoons raw, organic agave or liquid sweetener of choice
- zest from one orange (about 2 tablespoons)
- Melt cacao butter in dehydrator or very carefully over water stove top.
- Stir in agave and orange zest.
- This part can be a little tricky. Cool the liquid mixture over ice water until it barely starts to set on the edge. Start whisking and it will thicken up before your very eyes.
- Once it gets to a frosting consistency, spread quickly on bars. If it gets too hard, just gently warm again. It will harden beautifully once on the bars.
Susan wrote on December 31, 2013
I so wish I had time to test out all the different substitutions that people need. I am so crunched with working on new recipes, cookbooks, etc. I would suggest that you give it a try and report back. Cheers!
Brenda Trace wrote on December 31, 2013
So I too am wondering about the rolled quiona. I do not tolerate oats even gluten free ones. Not soaked, not raw, not cooked, not at all. (I can not eat them Sam I am, lol) Possibly buckwheat might work? Ideas? Thanks. I really enjoy your recipes, three cheeses being one of my favorites! Your hard work is much appreciated at our house.
Witt wrote on December 17, 2013
Just made.
Used maple syrup and yacon syrup subbed for agave which I don’t have. They’re great wet and since I couldn’t wait all night I put them in the dehydrator for a few hours. Taking them snowboarding in the morning. Thank you!
Snoozie and Moose wrote on December 8, 2013
We’ve just made our first batch! They’re cooling in the oven (yes, like your dog, we have a hungry cat too!)
The mixture tastes amazing and I can’t wait for them to be ready! How exciting! J xx
Jessica McLeish wrote on November 21, 2013
Hi! I wanted to save the leftovers, will these freeze ok, and if so should I wrap them in paper or just bag them? Thanks! Jessica
Jennifer wrote on August 12, 2013
Sorry, I have another question.. I am not a fan for agave or any liquid sweeteners. Can pure vanilla extract be used in its place? Or is that not sweet enough?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Susan wrote on August 13, 2013
Vanilla has no sweetening qualities at all. You will have to experiment. Try stevia.
Clau wrote on August 9, 2013
Susan , these look INCREDIBLE! I am dying to make these yum yum. This might be a dumb question but I’m a little confused with the rolling with parchment paper and the drying racks. So you have to place a parchment paper, then place “mixture” then another parchment paper. Then you immediately remove both parchments papers and transfer them to drying racks. Im new to all of this, and in my knowledge drying racks are like where you dry your dishes, is this some kind off special “equipment”? Sorry Its just a little confusing for me. Thank you
Susan wrote on August 9, 2013
Boyfriend….not married here. 🙂