This month’s recipe comes from Leslie Wall. Leslie is well known for  finding great healthy recipes – and also for her famous 4 ingredients or less recipes! She and Ken have had a home in Alto for many years and became full time residents about 8 years ago. Both are quite active in our community – both Alto and Ruidoso—serving on various committees and volunteering for nonprofits. They both golf regularly, and ski in the winter months.   Ken & Leslie have quite the extended family, as evidenced by the photo! Not pictured are their two canine family members, Ebony and Lola.

Homemade Healthy Candy Bars

Ingredients

-25 large Medjool dates (I buy the large box at Costco, but Walmart has them also)
-Natural peanut butter
-Semi-sweet chocolate chips
-Peanuts
-Flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Take approximately 25 large Medjool dates and open them to remove the pits.
2. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, open the dates flat and lay them close together in 5 rows of 5.
3. Cover the dates with another piece of parchment paper, then use a rolling pin to flatten them out, carefully closing any gaps.
4. Remove the top piece of parchment paper.
5. Spread a layer of peanut butter over the flattened dates.
6. Melt half a cup (or more) of semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and pourable.
7. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the peanut butter.
8. Finish by topping with chopped peanuts, gently pressing them into the warm chocolate. If the peanuts are unsalted, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt is a good addition.
9. Set the cookie sheet in the fridge until the candy bars are firm, for about an hour.
10. Cut into squares using a pizza cutter.
11. Store the candy bars in a zip-lock bag in the fridge.
 
Dates come from the Date Nut tree and are both delicious and nutritious. They are high in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar, preventing the blood sugar spikes associated with other sweets. Additionally, dates are rich in potassium and magnesium. These homemade candy bars are a delicious and easy treat that satisfies your sweet tooth while offering nutritional benefits. Enjoy!

Do you have a recipe you would like to share with our Alto friends and neighbors?? We are always looking! Notify
Gail Heathington at [email protected].  As we head into summer – perhaps you have a great grill recipe?
The perfect salad or side dish? Reach out and share!