Homemade protein bars

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I will be posting recipes and such as I have a little more time to play. I found an interesting recipe at Healthy Indulgences, a website that creates healthy recipes without the use of splenda. I have been experimenting with some protein bars (I am addicted to Zone bars).

I adapted her recipe as follows:
1/4 cup natural peanut butter (any nut butter would work)
1 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon stevia
pinch of sea salt
2 oz protein powder

Heat oven to 350 F. In a medium size microwave safe bowl, add the peanut butter, butter, and honey. Microwave for about a minute until warm and you can blend thoroughly. Add the vanilla, stevia, salt and cream and mix well. Mix in the protein powder. Really mash it to mix well. It will be kind of like shortbread dough.

Line a loaf pan with parchemnt paper. Press the mixture into the bottom of the loaf pan evenly. It is a very thin layer. Bake for about 10 minutes – you don’t want it to brown. Remove from the loaf pan and cut into 4 pieces while it is still warm (that way they don’t crumble).
Looks like this:

The texture is almost exactly like a shortbread cookie. I actually really like these. A little caloric, but would be a great sub if you want a cookie. Much healthier LOL!
I then melted a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips and spread over the top:

For an on-the-go meal, these are pretty good. With the chocolate, around 250 calories or so. YMMV depending on the brand of protein powder you use. I might replace the cream with milk next time. I also have a mind to try some PB2, should I get around to ordering any.

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