Peanut Butter "Cake Batter" Bars

Oh my goodness gracious. Let me start off with how delicious these are! As  usual, this recipe came to me through Pinterest. I pinned it long ago, but I came across it last week and thought I should make them. These bars are full of energy, full of nutrition, and great for a little boost of protein. I know what you are thinking, how can cake batter be nutritious? That's the little secret, there is NO cake batter what-so-ever in this recipe. It tastes like cake batter. I got the recipe from Katie at Chocolate Covered Katie. I changed some things in the recipe a bit, but doesn't change the taste! I have been wanting to make homemade nutrition bars for the longest time, but was never brave enough. That sounds silly... but I was never brave enough to try something new and have it possibly taste horrible. Since Katie said her recipe was simple, easy, tasty, I decided to give it a try. It is so simple to make! No baking involved! And hey, it's healthy! Before you get started on this wonderful, healthful treat, make sure you can spare an hour at the end of the combining process for the bars to harden in the fridge.

peanut butter "cake batter" bars
~1 cup of rice crispies (they can be brown, white, or certified gluten free)
   I used gluten free
~packed 1/2 cup of almond flour
~1/3 cup of protein powder/1 packet of protein powder
~1 tsp vanilla extract
~1/4 teaspoon sea salt
~3 TBSP of raw natural peanut butter
~5 teaspoons agave nectar 
~1 teaspoon of pure raw honey
~a handful of colorful sprinkles

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine and stir all the wet ingredients. (Make sure the peanut butter is soft enough to stir). Once wet ingredients are combined, pour the DRY ingredients INTO the WET (Not the other way around!). Stir until the dry ingredients are evenly coated. Take a large sheet of wax paper, and line an 8x8 baking dish/pan with the wax paper. Pour the bar dough into the pan and spread it evenly in the pan. Use the bottom of a cup to press down. Put it in the fridge for an hour to harden the bars. Bon Appetit! 

If you are wondering how to make this a vegan recipe, just leave out the honey, and use a protein powder without dairy. This protein powder that I used has dried milk in it. 

Still delicious!! 

My mom liked them, my sister liked them. WINNER!! I can't stop eating them, but they fill you up really fast. They are great for hikes, a school snack, park snacks, play time snacks. They aren't very sticky, but the agave nectar and honey give it the sticky factor. The sprinkles add color and fun, the chocolate protein powder adds protein and flavor, peanut butter adds protein, energy, and flavor. These bars are so delicious! 

INSTAGRAM PICTURE