Raw Cacao Cookie Butter Energy Squares

Alphonsine Koh

A Vegan Foodie Sharing Her Creative Adventures, Travel and Fashion

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Instagram: @simplyalphonsine

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"The day I decided to adopt a plant-based vegan diet was the day that I finally gained freedom and control of my lifestyle."

INGREDIENTS

Base

2 cups pitted Bam dates

2 cups mixed nuts

2 cups raw rolled oats

2 tbsp cacao powder

½ cup dried cranberries

Top/Filling

Speculoos/Biscoff Cookie Butter

PB2 powder

METHOD

Simply blend the base ingredients in the food processor and pulse until they mix and stick well together like a cookie dough. For the energy squares, line your baking pan with non-stick baking paper and spread the base evenly with a spoon or spatula. Next, layer on Speculoos/ Biscoff cookie butter with a butter knife and spread well. For the energy balls, grab a coin-sized amount of the base and roll it into a ball with your palms. Create a hole in the middle using your thumb and fill it with Speculoos/ Biscoff cookie butter. Grab another coin-sized amount of the base, but flatten it to cover the hole. Ensure that all sides are covered so the cookie butter stays well in the center of the ball. Roll it again between the palms of your hand. Cover the ball with PB2 powder or any powder of your choice (cacao, matcha, cinnamon, etc.). Place them on a tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Once ready, cover the trays/pans with cling wrap and leave in the freezer for at least 2 hours. For the energy squares, cut and divide them when removed from the freezer. Best served immediately. The energy balls can be kept out of the freezer without melting. They are best served immediately, or for up to 3 hours.

Fav Ingredients for Detox

Watermelon and passion fruit! It’s so refreshing and I am always craving it after my workout. Which reminds me, I once went on watermelon cleanse or “watermelon island.” Not really the best idea if you do it for more than two or three days. Trust me. I did it for six days.

Healing with Food

Honestly, I never really gave a second thought to about food until one day I decided to lose weight, go on diets and stop eating proper meals. I had a really unhealthy relationship with food and my body. I was not healthy physically, and even less so mentally. The day I decided to adopt a plant-based vegan diet was the day that I finally gained freedom and control of my lifestyle. It took me some time to let go, but I am finally where I should be, feeling stress-free about food, actually enjoying it with people I care about. I feel amazing and happy eating this way.