Energy Bars

At the beginning of this year I took a pastry chef course. I was in seventh heaven. For four months, every Monday afternoon, the class of 20 gathered and listened to a lecture/ demonstration about the day's topic. Then we went to work completing the assignment of recipes- most of the time finishing between 12 and 1 in the morning! It was exhausting but thrilling and I loved every minute of it. I learned an incredible amount and accumulated a good number of recipes that I continue to use.

One of the recipes from the cookie lesson ( we learned different techniques of mixing, forming cookies etc.) was these energy bars. They are delicious (and rich!) "as is", straight from the recipe. But what I liked about it was the opportunity to substitute pretty much to your own tastes and if you follow the basic format, they come out fantastic, no matter what you put in them. I will give some suggestions as to possible substitutions but use your imagination and personal tastes! Here's to boosting your energy level- if these don't do it, nothing will!

( we used a square 20x20 disposable aluminum foil pan- it works great- less clean up and just so easy!)

100 grams( 1/2 cup) butter

90 grams glucose (available at specialty stores for baking supplies)

70 grams peanut butter ( you can use tehina paste, almond butter, cashew butter etc. etc.)

1/2 tsp. vanilla bean paste ( or 1 tsp. vanilla extract if you don't have)

15 grams flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

120 grams oats, lightly toasted

90 grams brown sugar

25 grams coconut flakes

25 grams sesame seeds , lightly toasted

45 grams hazelnuts( you can substitute any nut you like or eliminate if you choose)

40 grams raisins (or any dried fruit you like or omit if you don't like)

25 grams sugared orange peel , chopped (again, here you can play with it as you wish)

Preheat oven to 170 C ( 320 F)

Place glucose ( make sure you wet your hands well to handle the glucose or else it will stick - to your hands and anything else it touches!! not fun!) and butter in a small saucepan and bring to  a boil. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Mix until smooth.

In a large bowl , mix all other ingredients and form a well in the middle. Add the butter mix and stir well to coat all the ingredients.

Pour  into pan ( you don't have to grease it, there is enough fat in the mixture. Believe me, it comes right out of the pan with no problem) and press down.

Bake 20 minutes ( when it starts bubbling, it's done)

Cool and cut into whatever size squares or bars you like. Store in a closed container.