crunch time

As the last of the Halloween candy is being eaten (if yours lasted this long, I commend you!), but before indulging in all of the Thanksgiving goodness, now may be a hard time to eat healthy. We're at the homestretch.. the week before Thanksgiving is here. This year Chanukkah is next week as well, and Christmas is not long after (not to mention my birthday in between!) There are a lot of reasons to celebrate coming up, and this revamped crunch bar recipe is a great guilt-free way to treat yourself (and others) during these festive months.

I originally made this recipe in my foods class at school, and it tastes pretty dark, and I would do without the peanut butter drizzle next time (as much as I love peanut butter, I don't think this recipe needs it).I also would pour the chocolate mixture into a larger pan so that the bars are thinner and resemble the chocolate bar more. That way they're easier to pop in your mouth, too! Especially because - due to the coconut oil these are made of - unless chilled, they will melt pretty quickly in your hands!

Here's what you'll need:
yields 12 large crunch bars
1 cup coconut oil
3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
10 tbsp maple syrup (or agave)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cup Rice Krispies cereal

For the peanut butter drizzle:
1/4 cup all-natural peanut butter
3 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp pure maple syrup (or agave)

1. Line a square pan with two pieces of parchment paper, one going each way. In a pot over low heat, melt the coconut oil and then whisk in the rest of the crunch bar ingredients (except the cereal).

I promise the oil is there! 

2. Once the mixture is smooth, remove from heat and stir in the cereal. Pour mixture into prepared pan and freeze for at least 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is solid.

3. For the peanut butter drizzle: Melt the coconut oil and then whisk in the peanut butter and syrup.

4. Remove crunch bars pan from freezer and cut into small bars. Using a spoon, drizzle the peanut butter mixture onto the bar.

5. Freeze for 5 more minutes, or until the drizzle solidifies.

6. Serve immediately. Enjoy!