vanilla, cashew & coconut energy bars
energy cubes
these vanilla, cashew & coconut energy bars are the perfect little bites for when you need a quick pick-me-up
lightly toasted cashews and coconut bring warmth and crunch, while vanilla and rice malt syrup add just the right touch of sweetness
homemade energy balls commonly use honey or dates (both high in fructose) as sweeteners but i find that too sweet to eat more than one
i prefer rice malt syrup (lower in fructose) in these over sugar or honey, as rice malt syrup has a lower perceived sweetness and will taste less sweet while providing the same energy (and glue to hold these together!)
makes eight cubes
ingredients
50g cashews (raw, unsalted)
50g desiccated coconut
30g butter (or coconut oil)
30g rice malt syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
method
add the cashews (50g) to a pan over medium-low heat and cook until just toasted through and aromatic, about 5 minutes
transfer the toasted cashews to a chopping board and chop finely
add the desiccated coconut (50g) to the pan and cook until lightly golden and aromatic, about 3 minutes
once toasted, add the coconut and chopped cashews to a bowl
in a separate bowl, add the butter (30g) and rice malt syrup (30g) and microwave in intervals until melted together
pour the melted butter mixture and vanilla (1 tsp) over the nuts and stir until fully combined
press into icecube molds or roll into balls
transfer to the fridge to cool completely
store in the fridge