Apple Pie Protein Squares

I am so excited that one of my best friends (that lives on the other side of the country) is finally sharing one of her awesome recipes! We've only known each other a few years but clicked instantly when we met. We actually met when I flew out to San Diego for a training and also hosted a Wellness 101 event that she came to! We have so much in common...mainly minimalism and hiking. ;-) She flew out to GA this past August to attend a training for our business so we got to catch up and hike together (below is a picture of us on top of Yonah Mountain in GA that I posted on Instagram)! You will love her and this recipe!

Kenzie and I wrote a "Baby Eats Clean" eCookbook and a Crock Pot Breakfast eCookbook together!

From Kenzie: Hey there He and She Eat Clean readers! Kenzie here from HettmanHomestead.com!

I wanted to share a recipe that our whole family loves to eat during the holidays. My two little kids even think it's a treat! (I love when that happens.) Before I tell you about the protein bars, I wanted to make a confession... I'm all about that apple pie. That pumpkin pie. And any pie really. Unfortunately, I know I can't just eat pie all winter (sigh), so I like to create healthy recipes that do the trick. These protein bars are guilt-free even though it tastes like you're indulging in a slice of apple pie. Not only do these protein bars taste just like apple pie, you only need 6 ingredients, one bowl, and 10 minutes to make them! I got your back. The holiday season is hectic and you don't have time to be Martha Stewart. I know the struggle. ;) 

Clean Eat Recipe: Apple Pie Protein Squares

Ingredients 

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 
• 1/4 cup cashew butter or almond butter 
• 1 TBSP ground cinnamon 
• 2 cups oat flour (plus more for dusting) 
• 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder

Method

• Combine applesauce, maple syrup. cashew butter, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Dump flour and protein powder on top of the wet ingredients, then stir together until just mixed. 
• Dust a cutting board with oat flour and roll the dough in the flour. Work the dough until it's no longer sticky. Finally, roll the dough into a ball and place the dough in a square baking dish.
• Flatten the dough evenly until it fills the baking dish, cover, then refrigerate for an hour or so.
• Remove from the refrigerator after it has set and cut into squares. 

We usually cut ours into 9 squares.

Tip: Store in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. 

Be sure to subscribe to Kenzie's email updates and catch up with her on the web, Instagram and Pinterest!

Chocolate Chunk Protein Bars

We actually don't experiment with protein bars that much. We usually just stick with the same ones over and over again. I must admit though, I have to give Scott the credit on this one, it was his idea! We took the original chocolate protein bar recipe and made it even better. These are so good!

Clean Eat Recipe: Chocolate Chunk Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free oat flour
• 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder
• 1/4 cup Stevia in the Raw
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 egg whites
• 8 oz berry flavored baby food (or 3-4 oz of unsweetened applesauce + 2-3 oz of plain Greek yogurt)
• 2 oz water or unsweetened almond milk
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 4 squares dark chocolate (70% or higher)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl (excluding dark chocolate)
3. Mix wet ingredients together in a medium size bowl
4. Add the ingredients from the small bowl into the large bowl and mix together
5. Crush dark chocolate into small chunks and stir into batter
6. Spray 8X8 dish (I use Pyrex) with non-stick spray and add batter to the dish
7. Bake for 25-28 minutes

You MUST store these in the refrigerator or freezer as they will spoil because they have no preservatives!

Makes 16 squares. We normally eat 4 squares as a snack/meal.

Chocolate Protein Bars {Revamped}

You've probably tried the Chocolate Protein Bars we've had posted on the website...well, we made them even better! These are made with veggie protein and taste like cake!

Chocolate Protein Bars {Revamped}

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour
• 4 egg whites
• 3 scoops of vanilla veggie protein powder (114 g - we used MRM's vanilla veggie)
• 1/3 cup Stevia in the Raw
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 8 oz berry flavored baby food
• 3 tbsp baking cocoa
• 4 oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 4 oz water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the following together in a large bowl:

      - Oat Flour

      - Protein Powder

      - Baking Soda

      - Salt

      - Baking Cocoa

3. Mix the following together in a small bowl:

      - Egg Whites

      - Stevia in the Raw

      - Baby Food

      - Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

      - Water

4. Combine the ingredients from the small bowl into the large bowl and mix together.

5. Spray 8X8 dish (I use Pyrex) with non-stick spray & add batter to the dish.

6. Bake for 25 minutes.

Makes 16 squares

Serving size = 2 bars

Macros (per bar):

• Calories: 72
• Fat: 1 g
• Carbs: 9 g
• Protein: 7 g

He & She Tips: We bake ours for 23 minutes so they are "gooey" like brownies. You MUST store these in the refrigerator or freezer as they will spoil because they have no preservatives!

- Whitney

Recipe adapted from Jamie Eason's Chocolate Protein Bars.