The BEST Healthy, Protein Packed Chocolate Treats!

All Good Recipes Start With An Experiment

I have been experimenting with making healthy chocolate treats for the past two years as my husband, Doug, and I strive to live a healthier lifestyle in our retirement years. The great thing about this recipe is you can adapt it to use your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and fresh fruit. If you decide to use fresh fruit, use 1/4 c. or less because the treat will crumble from the excessive moisture. Also, you can add honey or maple syrup, but again you are adding moisture that will contribute to the possibility of the treat crumbling while eating. For a variety, you may want to try my previous chocolate treat recipe.

Add More Protein, Omit The Sugar!

Since I have changed the recipe so much over the past few years, I decided to post the easiest and healthiest version with no sugar added, but you will never miss the sugar when you use these ingredients and it will be hard to convince others there is no sugar in it due to the great chocolate, peanut butter, and sweetness from the dried and fresh fruit. These treats are not only healthier than my previous versions of healthy chocolate treats; these chocolate treats are also packed with more protein and taste so much better without excessive crumbling while eating them. If you do experience crumbling of treats, simply omit the frozen blueberries. I love the flavor and antioxidants provided by blueberries, so I am fine with a little crumble.

Protein Packed Chocolate Treats

1 c. Lily's Dark Chocolate 55% Cocoa

1Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil + 1 teaspoon for roasting nuts

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup chopped pistachios

1/4 cup Craisins

1/4 cup pitted dried chopped dates

2 Tablespoons Jif Natural Crunch Peanut Butter

2 Tablespoons PB2 Peanut Butter Powder

1/4 cup frozen blueberries

Optional : 1 Tablespoon Vital Protein Powder for extra protein

Directions

1. Melt 1 cup of Lily's Dark Chocolate chips with 1 Tablespoon of Extra Virgin Oil in microwave in a glass measuring cup for 30 seconds. Mix until thoroughly melted. Do not microwave any longer or chocolate with clump together.

2. Soak chopped dried dates and craisins in water.

3. Roast chopped pecans, almonds, and pistachios in 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil over low to medium heat in a skillet for 5-10 minutes until you smell a nutty aroma

4. Remove nuts from stove and stir Peanut butter, peanut butter powder, and optional-Vital Protein Powder in nuts.

5. Drain water from dried fruit and mix with nut mixture.

6. Add 1/4 cup frozen blueberries.

7. Mix nut mixture and fruit mixture together.

8. Drop 1 teaspoon of melted chocolate in silicone mini muffin pan. Add 1 Tablespoon of nut/fruit mixture and top with melted chocolate.

9. Place mini muffin pan in refrigerator for a 1-2 hours to allow it to harden.

10. Remove from muffin pan and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a quick snack or simple desert with meals.

Enjoy Dessert Again!

If you have been avoiding dessert to lose a few pounds, this is a great treat for the end of a meal when you want something sweet!

Quick Pick Me Up Between Meals

This healthy chocolate treat is a great pick me up between meals when you need just a little something to carry you to your next meal. With the added protein in this treat, your blood sugar will be stabilized and you will not suffer the ups and downs of sugar.

Build Good Health and Strong Bones-Stop Eating Processed Food

Prevent osteoporosis and keep your body strong and healthy by eating natural foods that contain vitamins, minerals, and protein instead of reaching for those sugar and salt packed processed foods or so-called protein bars loaded with tons of ingredients that you can't even pronounce that have all kinds of harmful side effects to your body. I believe most of those ingredients stay stored in your body as fat because our bodies are not able to process them. Not to mention what those processed foods are doing to the digestive system as it works so hard to break down ingredients that are not natural.

If you try this recipe, please leave a review. We would love to know if you enjoyed this recipe! Even better, is this a recipe that may help you achieve your healthy goals? Please follow along at www.journeywithodells.com for more recipes and adventures.