Healthy Breakfast Protein Fudge Bar – LifeMatrix Style
#WHATHEALTHYMODELSEAT
Is it possible to have chocolate for breakfast and have it be healthy? The answer is heck yeah! Nutella doesn’t count folks, sorry. (1 tablespoon of Nutella has 100 calories and 10 grams of sugar. Yikes! That’s a heavy sugar spike.)
So I made this raw chocolate fudge bar that’s gluten free, sugar free, egg free, dairy free, low carb and requires absolutely no baking. They’re great for on the go or if you want a little bit of chocolate indulgence with your cup of tea/coffee in the morning (or any time, really.) Did I mention that they are far healthier than any protein bar you’d buy at your local heath store?
The main protein ingredient in this recipe comes from one of my favourite protein powders I bought in South Africa. (I also wish I stocked up on this product!) Lifematrix Vegan Super Smoothie Essentials is a gluten free, vegan, unsweetened protein powder made with organic powdered sprouted brown rice, chia, pineapple fiber, raw cacao and inulin. It has a light smooth taste and it doesn’t have that whey powder taste that a lot of leading macho protein powders have. Packed with protein and pre-biotics, it was the perfect nutritional base for my chocolate fudge bar. Since the powder is only available in South Africa (sad face), any brown rice protein will do like my other favourites Life Time Fitness Vegan Max or Progressive Organic Brown Rice Protein.
Brown rice protein is a convenient source of protein for those on a vegan or vegetarian diet and even for others that follow a strict healthy diet. Like other protein sources, brown rice protein can help with weight loss and management since it’s low in fat and generally low calorie. Recent research has also indicated that it can aid with muscle recovery and gain when consumed after a workout. It’s allergen-friendly and you can add it to almost anything: smoothies, cereal, juices and of course, this fudge bar!
It’s easy:
6 servings of brown rice protein (about 6 scoops)
6 tbsp of organic raw cacao (not cocoa!) powder (I like Navitas Natural Cacao)
6 tbsp of chia seeds
1/4 cup of erythritol sweetener (Can be found at any health store or even Bulk Barn!)
1/4 tsp of stevia extract powder (can omit if you don’t want it to sweet)
1 and 1/2 cups of unsweetened organic coconut milk (Almond milk will also work but your bars might be a little more on the creamier side)
6 tbsp of organic pure unsweetened almond butter, room temperature
1 tbsp of pure vanilla extract
6 tbsp of filtered water
In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients together. Using a spoon, add in coconut milk, almond butter and vanilla. Add in water. Mixture might be crumbly, which is better! With your hands, form into a large ball of dough. The dough should eventually feel play-doh like. Press onto parchment paper dusted with cacao and form into a large square and then cut into desired small strips. Dust the top with more cacao. You can top it with unsweetened coconut shredding and/or almond flakes. Store covered in fridge. Grab a square at your tummy’s discretion.
*The texture of the bars are very soft, cookie dough like. If you add a little more liquid, it will be a little more creamy. They do firm up in the fridge but won’t harden and will soften up if left at room temperature.
Leave a Reply