Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Healthy Buckeye Bars


I know, HEALTHY BUCKEYE sounds like an oxymoron, but these aren't your grandma's buckeyes. Healthy ingredients like coconut oil, natural peanut butter, and agave nectar make these melt-in-your-mouth morsels a treat you can go back for seconds on--guilt free!


I took some of my first batch to the bootcamp class I teach to share afterwards, and no one could believe they were actually good for them. Unlike traditional buckeyes that have butter, peanut butter and a ton of powdered sugar, these are full of healthy fats and low-glycemic, unrefined sweetener.

Here's how it's done: 

Line a 8"x8" or 9"x 9" dish with wax paper.

Mix 1 1/4  cups of natural peanut butter with 1/3 cup of melted coconut oil and 1/4 cup of light agave nectar.

Place in the fridge or freezer to harden.

While the peanut butter layer is hardening, whisk together 1/3 cup melted coconut oil, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup real maple syrup or light agave nectar, 1/2 tsp vanilla. 

Spread over chilled peanut butter layer. Return to the refrigerator or freezer.


 Once it is chilled through, pull up edges of wax paper to remove from dish.

Cut into bars.

 And Enjoy!

Healthy Buckeye Bars
Makes 8x8 inch square pan

Peanut Butter Layer:
1 1/4 cups natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1/3 cup  unscented* coconut oil, softened (or just barely melted)
1/4 cup real maple syrup or light agave nectar

Chocolate Layer:
1/3 cup unscented* coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup real maple syrup or light agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

*Scented coconut oil can be used, but coconut flavor undertones may be present.

Directions:
1. Line a 8x8 or 9x9 inch square baking dish with a sheet of wax paper covering bottom and sides . Set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix peanut butter, coconut oil and agave nectar until smooth. Spread in prepared pan and place in refrigerator or freezer to set.
3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil cocoa powder and agave nectar. Stir in vanilla. Spread chocolate mix over chilled peanut butter layer. Return to fridge or freezer to set.
4. Once bars are chilled (after 1 hr+), pull wax paper edges to remove from the pan. Use a sharp knife to cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in fridge or freezer.



14 comments:

  1. Yum, these look delicious! Even better that they are healthy! :)

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  2. Those look amazing! I love that they use coconut oil. Thank you so much for
    linking up with us in the Best of the Blogosphere Link-Up last week! We
    hope you'll join us again in this week's party that started today!

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  3. This might be a dumb question, but I'm new to working with coconut oil. Should it be measured out before or after melting?

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    Replies
    1. I measure it before. It doesn't seem to change volume much for me.

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    2. Awesome, thank you! Planning on making these this weekend...can't wait to try them!

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  4. I added a cup and a half of rice crispies to the peanut butter mixture... HEAVENLY! Just enough crunch. Thanks for the incredible recipe!

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  5. Better than Reese's! I add a sprinkle of Himalayan sea salt on top. My family begs for these so always make a double batch. I use crunchy peanut butter too.

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  6. I love the idea of healthy buckeye balls, but mine turned out super runny even with adding rice krispies......:( Any thoughts as to why or how to make them not so runny???

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    Replies
    1. I have made these using a variety of peanut and other nut butters, and have found that the higher oil-content nut butters make a softer bar. I would try cutting back (or skipping) the coconut oil in the recipe. This probably goes without saying, but make sure you are storing them in the fridge. These will be too soft/runny at room temp. Good luck!

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  7. I don't have any agave nectar on hand can I substitute honey?

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  8. These are AMAZING!

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  9. 3 Researches PROVE How Coconut Oil Kills Waist Fat.

    This means that you literally kill fat by eating Coconut Fat (also coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut oil).

    These 3 researches from big medical magazines are sure to turn the traditional nutrition world upside down!

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  10. These are so absolutely perfect. I could eat the whole pan in one sitting. Next time I am for sure doubling it. ;) Thanks so much for this recipe,Kelly!

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  11. Made these as a valentine's gift for a friend, and used dark chocolate cocoa. These turned out amazing! Definitely a keeper.

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