Chocolate Protein Bar

Ingredients

• Chocolate protein powder 1 cup
• Rolled oats 1 cup
• Natural peanut butter 1/2 cup
• Honey 1/4 cup
• Unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons
• Milk or almond milk 1/4 cup
• Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon
• Dark chocolate chips 1/4 cup

Method

1. Prepare your workspace. Gather all ingredients and tools: a mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, a spatula, and an 8x8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
   Tip: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easy to remove the bars later.
2. Mix dry ingredients. In the mixing bowl, combine the chocolate protein powder, rolled oats, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir them together until evenly mixed.
   Tip: Make sure to break up any clumps in the protein powder for a smooth mixture.
3. Add wet ingredients. Add the natural peanut butter, honey, milk (or almond milk), and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix everything together until a thick, sticky dough forms.
   Tip: If the mixture feels too dry, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it holds together.
4. Fold in chocolate chips. Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture.
   Tip: If you prefer, you can skip the chocolate chips or substitute with nuts or dried fruit.
5. Press mixture into pan. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spatula or your hands to press it firmly and evenly into the pan.
   Tip: Press firmly to ensure the bars hold together well after baking.
6. Bake the bars. Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10 minutes. This helps the bars set without drying them out.
   Tip: Keep an eye on the bars to avoid overbaking, which can make them dry.
7. Cool and cut. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the mixture out using the parchment paper and cut into 4 equal bars.
   Tip: Cooling completely helps the bars firm up and prevents crumbling when cutting.

Pro tips

• Use natural peanut butter without added sugar or oils for a healthier bar.
• Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh longer.