Best 2 Chef Johns Chocolate Energy Bars Recipes

Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and invigorate your body. These energy bars are not just a snack; they are a testament to the art of combining wholesome ingredients to create a nutritious and delectable treat. With variations such as the classic chocolate peanut butter bars, the nutty cranberry apricot delight, and the vegan-friendly almond butter dark chocolate rendition, there's a perfect energy bar for every palate and dietary preference. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will satisfy your cravings while nourishing your well-being.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON CREAM PIE

Chef John's Boston Cream Pie image

This is my quick and easy version of Boston's Parker House Hotel's famous cake.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Desserts Chocolate Dessert Recipes Dark Chocolate

Time 5h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

cooking spray
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 ¼ cups water
⅓ cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
6 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
½ tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or to taste
1 pinch salt
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon butter
½ cup heavy whipping cream

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray.
Stir yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a bowl until moistened. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
Divide cake batter between the two prepared cake pans.
Bake in the preheated oven until cakes have risen and are lightly golden brown, 33 to 38 minutes. Check for doneness after 25 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean. Allow cakes to cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pans. Cool cakes completely, about 40 minutes.
Whisk 3 eggs, cornstarch, and sugar in a large bowl until well mixed and lemon colored, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
Heat 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whole milk, and 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to boil.
Reduce heat to low; pour egg mixture into cream mixture and whisk until thick, about 1 minute.
Pour egg and cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl; discard any chunks.
Whisk vanilla and salt into the egg and cream mixture until combined. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressed against the surface. Chill in refrigerator to form a pastry cream texture, 3 to 4 hours.
Place chocolate in a large bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon butter and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Pour cream mixture over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Set aside until cooled, but still pourable, about 20 minutes.
Place one cake layer on a plate, flat side up. Spread pastry cream to within 1-inch of the edge of cake. Place second cake layer on top, rounded side up. Press gently to push pastry cream to the edge. Pour chocolate mixture over top of the cake and spread so it drips over the edge.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 694.7 calories, Carbohydrate 72.4 g, Cholesterol 198.7 mg, Fat 41 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 10.3 g, SaturatedFat 16.5 g, Sodium 514.2 mg, Sugar 45.5 g

CHEF JOHN'S CHOCOLATE ENERGY BARS

Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars image

If you compare these chocolate energy bars to similar fruit/nut bars sold at the store, I think they taste better, are nutritionally superior, and probably cheaper to make at home. The only problem is they look so good it takes your brain a millisecond to process that they're not going to taste like the fudge brownies they resemble.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Granola Bars

Time 3h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 cups pitted Medjool dates, roughly chopped
2 cups raw cashews
1 cup raw or roasted unsalted almonds
¾ cup high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Guittard® Cocoa Rouge)
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cold espresso, or more as needed (or water)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ pinch cayenne pepper

Steps:

Place cashews, almonds, coconut, dates, cocoa, coconut oil, vanilla, cold coffee, cayenne and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off to start. Process about 1 minute; check to ensure mixture is sticky and moist enough to stick together. Add more coffee if needed. Continue to process until mixture becomes a chunky mass.
Line a baking pan with plastic wrap. Scoop mixture into pan. Press down with a spatula until mixture is even. Place a layer of plastic wrap on the surface and smooth again with your hands.
Refrigerate until cold and firm, 2 or 3 hours.
Remove from the pan and unwrap. Cut into bars of your preferred size. Store in a zip top back in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 342.7 calories, Carbohydrate 36 g, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 6.9 g, Protein 8.1 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 229.6 mg, Sugar 21 g

Tips:

Line the baking pan with parchment paper to prevent the bars from sticking.
If you don't have dark chocolate chips, you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead.
Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this will make the bars tough.
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
For a healthier variation, use almond butter instead of peanut butter, and add chopped nuts or seeds.

Conclusion:

Chef John's Chocolate Energy Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack that are perfect for on-the-go. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a healthy and satisfying snack that will keep you energized throughout the day.