Chocolate Peanut-Butter Energy Bars

I can't go too long without making a dessert.  I found this recipe in the Women's Health magazine.  These really didn't seem like energy bars, more like a candy bar.  The recipe below makes 24 bars.

Image by Jason Hedlund

Ingredients:

cooking spray

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter

2 large eggs

2 Tbsp canola oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups barley flakes or rolled oats

3/4 cup dried cranberries (we used Trader Joe's dried blueberries)

1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided

Directions: 

1.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

2.  In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.  In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and peanut butter until well combined.  Beat in eggs, oil and vanilla.  Stir in flour mixture.  Add barley flakes (or rolled oats), cranberries, peanuts, and 3/4 cup chocolate chips, stirring to combine.

3.  Spread evenly in prepared pan.  Bake 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned and firm to the touch.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

4.  In a small bowl set in a pan of simmering water, melt remaining chocolate chips, stirring until smooth.  With fork, drizzle chocolate over bars; refrigerate until set.  Cut into 24 bars.  Enjoy!

Jason's Rating: 6.5/10 

and Beth's Rating: 7/10

Nutrition:

188 calories

8g fat (3g saturated)

20mg cholesterol

30mg sodium

23g carbohydrates 

1g fiber

15g sugar

4g protein