Peanut Butter Bars with Carob Peanut Butter Frosting
For the Bars
½ cup organic 100% peanut butter
1/3 cup butter or coconut oil
¼ cup apple butter
2 tbsp date sugar or sucanat (optional)
½ tsp stevia powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 cup whole grain flour like spelt
½ cup rolled oats
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp sea salt
For the Frosting
½ cup carob or cocoa
¾ cup rice or almond milk
1/3 tsp stevia powder
1/3 cup organic 100% peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
(add 2 tbsp of honey if using cocoa)
To make bars – preheat the over to 350oF. Oil an 11×7” or similar size baking pan. Mix the peanut butter and oil together in a bowl. If your peanut butter is already runny, reduce the oil and increase the peanut butter slightly. Mix in the apple butter, date sugar, stevia extract, vanilla, and egg. Stir in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Press the batter into the bottom of the pan, and bake for 25 minutes.
To make frosting – Mix the carob/cocoa, rice milk, and stevia extract together in a saucepan. Cook at a low boil for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and mix in the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Remove the bars from the oven, and frost immediately. Cool before cutting.
Adapted from Rita DePuydt, Stevia – naturally sweet recipes for dessert, drinks and more!
Nutritional Value of Select Ingredients
Peanut Butter – As peanuts are high in protein, monounsaturated fats, and contain carbohydrates, they are a macronutrient-balanced food. When buying peanut butter, ensure that it is organic (peanuts absorb pesticides from the soil very easily) and contains only peanuts and maybe a little bit of salt (most peanut butter is 50% sugar).
Oats – This grain is a great source of complex carbs, and is high in protein and fibre. They can help normalize blood sugar levels, and are good for a sluggish thyroid. Oats are high in tryptophan, iron, and phytochemicals.
Spelt – This sweet, nutty grain is a grain tolerated by people with gluten-sensitivities (however it does contain gluten). It contains all 8 essential amino acids, and special carbohydrates that play a major role in blood clotting and stimulating the immune system. Spelt is higher in amino acids, some minerals, and B vitamins than wheat.
Stevia – Stevia is a plant from South America that is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, with virtually no calories or glucose. It has a regulating effect on the pancreas and may help stabilize blood sugar levels in the body, making it great for those this diabetes, hypoglycemia, and candidiasis.
