Cocoa Peanut Butter Protein Bars

As promised here is the recipe for these kid-friendly treats.  The girls absolutely loved these...between them and Adam they devoured the whole pan in about 2 days!  Although they're also great for adults looking for a healthy snack, I love making stuff like this for my girls since getting protein into Big A is so often a challenge.  For young children you can cut them into smaller squares, if you wish.

The base has a strong banana flavour, so if you want the chocolate flavour to come through more, definitely use chocolate protein powder and/or add a few teaspoons of cocoa powder.

Cocoa Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Bars
1/4 cup ground flax meal
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup shelled hemp seeds
1/4 cup powdered peanut butter (like this one)
2 scoops chocolate or vanilla protein powder (whatever one you like)
1 large, ripe banana
1 325g box cocoa rice crisp cereal (like this one), approx. 6 1/4 cups

For the bars, whisk together flax and hot water and set aside until it thickens.  Add to food processor along with hemp seeds, powdered peanut butter, protein powder and banana.  Puree until smooth.  Add cereal, 2 cups at a time and pulse until blended in.  For final 2 cups, pulse a few times, but leave some of the cereal whole.

Spread batter evenly into greased 9x9 square pan (or 8x8 for thicker bars).  Bake at 375F for about 16-18 minutes.  Let cool.  Use a knife to release from sides of pan and turn upside down onto a flat surface.  Spread frosting over top and refrigerate until frosting has set.  Cut into bars, makes 20 bars.  Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze.

Frosting
2 heaping tbsp. coconut oil, melted
2 tbsp. powdered peanut butter
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder

For the frosting, whisk together ingredients and then spread evenly over top of baked bars.

I have submitted this recipe to Urban Naturale's Plant-Based Pot-Luck Party and Vegetarian Mamma's Gluten-Free Friday.