PIONEER WOMAN PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BARS RECIPES

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch glass pan with parchment, letting it hang over the sides. Set aside.
• Combine the peanut butter, honey and chocolate milk in a medium heatproof glass bowl and place over a pot of simmering water. Allow the mixture to become warm and smooth, stirring to completely incorporate. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, mix the oats, flax seeds, protein powder, dried cherries and half of the chocolate chips in a large bowl.
• Pour the peanut butter mixture into the oat mixture and stir until well combined. Transfer the mix to the prepared pan and press the mixture into an even layer. Sprinkle over the remaining chocolate chips, lightly pressing them into the base, and freeze for 15 minutes to allow the mixture to set.
• Remove from the pan and cut into 24 bars, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze.
• When ready to eat, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw slightly, 2 to 3 minutes, before enjoying.

Steps:

• Line the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and lightly coat with canola oil. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, oat bran, wheat flour, wheat germ, and salt. Set aside.
• Coarsely chop the raisins, dried cherries, blueberries and apricots and place in a small bowl and set aside.
• In a third mixing bowl, whisk the tofu until smooth. Add the apple juice, brown sugar, eggs, and peanut butter, 1 at a time, and whisk to combine after each addition. Add this to the protein powder mixture and stir well to combine. Fold in the dried fruit. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.