Snack-O-Matic Brownies

Want to try your hand at making your own fruit and nut–based snack bar? In just a few minutes, you can create a healthy, customizable snack to help you eat right when you're on the go. 

Thanks to a date or prune base, these bars are rich in potassium, an electrolyte that is essential for healthy muscle function (including the most important muscle, the heart!). The nuts and seeds provide protein as well as good-for-you monounsaturated fats and/or omega-3 fatty acids. And the high fiber content will help keep you regular. Want to really kick up the nutritional wow factor? Add a couple scoops of your favorite Shakeology. 

Total Time: 1 hr. 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Yield: 12 servings, 1 bar each

Ingredients:

1 cup pitted whole dates or prunes for the base
1 cup dried fruit
1 cup nuts and seeds
2 scoops Shakeology (optional)
Optional flair 

Preparation:

1. Combine equal parts dates or prunes, dried fruits, nuts, and seeds in the bowl of a food processor.
2. Process for 1 to 2 minutes. Check to make sure all ingredients are breaking down into smaller pieces; scrape sides of bowl as needed. Process 2 to 3 minutes more until ingredients form tiny crumbs that come together into a loose ball.
3. Turn out the Snack Bar-O-Matic mixture onto a square of cellophane (or an 8" x 8" baking dish). Press into a flat disc.
4. Cover tightly and refrigerate one hour.
5. Cut into 12 bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Choose one or more from each:

1 CUP BINDING FRUIT (these will give your bars the best texture)
    Dates
    Prunes 


1 CUP DRIED FRUIT
    Dried apricots
    Dried figs
    Raisins
    Dried cranberries
    Dried blueberries
    Dried cherries


1 CUP RAW NUTS OR RAW SEEDS
    Flaxseeds
    Chia seeds
    Pepitas
    Sunflower seeds
    Almonds
    Walnuts
    Peanuts
    Cashews
    Sesame seeds
    Coconut


OPTIONAL FLAIR
    1/2 tsp. rum extract
    1/2 tsp. cinnamon
    1 Tbsp. honey
    1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
    1–2 oz. dark chocolate chips
    2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

WITH SHAKEOLOGY* (per serving):

Calories	Fat	Saturated Fat	Cholesterol	Sodium	Carbs	Fiber	Sugar	Protein
151	5 g	<1 g="" td="">	0 mg	76 mg	20 g	5 g	12 g	6 g

WITHOUT SHAKEOLOGY* (per serving):

Calories	Fat	Saturated Fat	Cholesterol	Sodium	Carbs	Fiber	Sugar	Protein
124	5 g	<1 g="" td="">	0 mg	51 mg	15 g	3 g	11 g	3 g