Raw German Chocolate Energy Bars

I make things like energy bars often, because we are busy people!  But, that doesn't mean they have to be boring.  In fact, I try to switch up the flavors every time to keep it interesting.  My latest was German Chocolate, and it was so tasty, I had to share the recipe with you as well so you could enjoy it too!

These taste like candy, and although I got a little decadent with a bit of raw chocolate drizzled over the top, they contain ingredients to keep you going without causing a sugar rush.  I included buckwheat, since I love the crunch it gives, and I consider it a wonderful breakfast food.  Hemp seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds were added for a boost of omega 3s.  I added in a bit of raw chocolate protein as well to give these staying power and help rebuild my muscles (since this is a good after workout snack).

Of course I had to add in the classic German Chocolate ingredients as well, since these are after all named after the classic cake.  Raw cacao powder, walnuts, and coconut with some dates added in to give it that caramelly note.  They are simply yummalicious!  Nothing like healthy food that tastes sinful.

Raw German Chocolate Energy Bars
Makes 12

1/4 cup raw coconut nectar (maple syrup, or your choice liquid sweetener)
1/2 cup soft medjool dates, pitted (soaked in filtered water for 30 minutes if not soft and drained well)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 cup banana, mashed
2 Tbsp lucuma powder
2 Tbsp maca powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup raw coconut butter, warmed to liquid
1 cup finely shredded, dried coconut
1 cup ground flax seed
2 scoops raw chocolate protein powder (I used Garden of Life Raw Chocolate)
1/4 cup raw, shelled hemp seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup sprouted, dehydrated buckwheat groats
1 cup raw walnuts

Chocolate:
1/2 cup raw coconut oil, warmed to liquid
3/4 cup raw cacao powder
1/2 cup organic maple syrup or raw coconut nectar
a pinch sea salt

In a food processor, combine the coconut nectar, dates, sea salt, banana, maca, lucuma, vanilla extract, and coconut butter and process until smooth. Add the cup coconut, flax seed, and protein powder and process until well combined.  Add the seeds and buckwheat groats and process briefly just to incorporate (so that there is still texture).  Remove from the processor and knead in walnuts(the mixture may be a little sticky, but that is ok*).  Spread out on a lined dehydrator tray 1/2 inch thick in a square (using a bench scraper to shape the sides and an oiled rolling pin helps).  Cut into 12 bars, and place in the dehydrator.  Dry for about 12 hours at 115F until dry but still chewy. Or, alternatively, you can just place in the freezer until firm (about an hour) but they will be not be as firm, or keep as long.
Once the bars are ready, to make the chocolate drizzle, whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Then drizzle over the finished bars (I like to put mine in a pastry bag and drizzle it).  Place in the freezer for 5 minutes to set the chocolate.  Store finished bars in the fridge in an airtight container.

*Note: if you do not want to dehydrate these, add more flax meal if too sticky, a little at a time until they are not sticky, kneading it in, then refrigerate them to firm up.