Chocolate Trail Bars

The intention of this recipe is to replicate the low amount of added sugar, and the convenience, of a store-bought RXBAR. My recipe below has just two grams of added sugar per serving if you slice the recipe into nine bars, or one gram of added sugar per serving if you slice them into twelve bars. Not bad considering they are delicious and chocolatey and chewy. 

Chocolate Snack Bars

1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
1/2 cup walnuts
13 deglet noor dates  -OR-  6 medjool dates, chopped
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 scoops chocolate protein powder
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
6-8 tablespoons water

Add the oats, sunflower seeds, and coconut flakes (if using) to a large skillet and turn on the stove to medium-low heat. Toast the mixture while stirring constantly for about 4-5 minutes, until the mixture becomes fragrant and the oats and coconut look just slightly golden.
In a food processor combine the toasted oat and sunflower seed mixture with walnuts and dates. Pulse until the mixture is crumbly with no large chunks. Using a food processor to chop together dates and dry ingredients helps to pulverize the sticky dates into small bits -- better than chopping with just a knife.
Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and add all remaining ingredients except water. Stir to combine thoroughly.

Add four tablespoons of water; stir with a spoon. Continue adding one tablespoon of water at a time just until the mixture holds together (it will probably be about 6-8 tablespoons total). 

Spread a sheet of parchment paper on the countertop, about 15 inches wide. Pour out the mixture onto the parchment and use your fingers to flatten it out into a square that is approximately 8" X 8". The mixture will be sticky, so I recommend using a small piece of either wax paper or parchment paper to press down instead of your bare hands. 

Once you have created a square of about 8" X 8", use a large knife to cut into bars of equal size: either 9 squares or 12 rectangles.