7-INGREDIENT VEGAN “PICNIC” PROTEIN BARS

This is the first creation of my veganized popular confectionary bars series! Picnic bars were my favourite bar as a child and so I just HAD TO veganize it!  I tried to keep it as simple as possible because I know you guys like easy recipes and I want as many of you guys as possible to try this! This bar is honestly easy to make, and the hardest part about this is the layering, but trust me – It’s worth it!

Here is the recipe:

7-INGREDIENT VEGAN PROTEIN “PICNIC” CHOCOLATE BARS 

Makes: 6 bars
INGREDIENTS:
Biscuit base:
  • 4 x vegan shortbread biscuits ( I used the @woolworths_au gluten-free Scotch fingers)
  • ** Or if you want to make it yourself, my go-to is a batch of the GF Almond shortbread by @feastingonfruit
Caramel rice puff layer:
  • 1 cup dates, pitted & soaked, reserve ¼ cup of the date water
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 cup rice bubbles 
  • 1 scoop (40g) vegan caramel protein powder ( I used @macr0mike snickerdoodle)
  • ½ cup roasted peanuts
Choc coating:
  • 120g vegan dark chocolate 
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
METHOD:
1. Line a small container with non-stick paper (mine was ~ 10 x 15cm)
2. BISCUIT BASE: Arrange the biscuits so that it fills the entire bottom of the container. You can cut a few and piece it together to fill the spaces
3. CARAMEL RICE PUFF LAYER: In a food processor make the peanut date caramel by blending the dates, date water and peanut butter until smooth. In another bowl, add in the rice puffs, protein powder and then pour int the peanut date caramel. Mix until the protein powder has dissolved and date caramel is evenly covering all the rice puffs.Sprinkle the roasted peanuts over the rice puff layer.
4. Put the slice into the freezer for 30 minutes
5. Remove the slice from the freezer and cut into 6 logs.
6. CHOC COATING: melt the dark chocolate and stir in the peanut butter until smooth. Pour the chocolate over each log.  Put the chocolate bar back into the freezer for 30 more minutes until set.
**Storage tips: in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for months, allowing it to thaw at room temperature for few minutes before consuming.

I hope you guys enjoy the vegan version as much as I did! If I were to be honest, it taste better than the real thing in my opinion (not biased at all) So definitely let me know if you try it!