Breakfast on the Go [Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars]

My boyfriend doesn't eat breakfast. He can't remember to bring his lunch to work even when he packed it the night before. He might as well be a walking zombie every morning. I decided that I needed to improve his health and morning routine by creating healthy, all natural energy bars. In order to convince him to eat it, I needed to entice him with his favorite flavor combination: peanuts and chocolate. He was surprised that it didn't taste healthy, but a guilt-free version of a Snicker's bar. He enjoyed them so much that he requested the next one to include oats. Mission Accomplished.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
adapted from Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabar

Note: If using unsalted peanuts, add 1/8 tsp sea salt. In a pinch, chocolate chips may be used, but the final product may end up tasting like candy due to the sweetness.

Servings: 6 bars

Ingredients
105g (3/4 cup) salted peanuts
40g (1/4 cup) dark chocolate, grated
220g (1 cup) Medjool dates
2 TBSP peanut butter

Directions

1. Put peanuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Remove and set aside. If using chocolate chips, pulse until coarsely chopped. Remove and set aside.
2. Put dates in food processor and pulse until it's a sticky paste. When it's at the right consistency, it'll clump together and form a ball in the food processor .
3. In a large bowl, mix peanuts, chocolate, dates, and peanut butter together with two spoons or hands. Stop when all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Line a 8 by 4 inch pan with parchment paper and press the mixture firmly into the pan. Let it sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting into bars. Cut into 6 bars and wrap with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator.