Recipe - Irresistible Combination: Dark Chocolate And Cardamom Muesli Bars

Dark chocolate and cardamom are two flavors that complement each other perfectly, creating a delightful taste sensation. When combined with nutritious ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, they make for a heavenly snack in the form of muesli bars. In this article, we will explore a scrumptious recipe for dark chocolate and cardamom muesli bars that will satisfy your sweet cravings while providing a healthy dose of nutrients.

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup nuts (e.g., almonds, cashews, or walnuts), roughly chopped
1/2 cup seeds (e.g., pumpkin, sunflower, or chia seeds)
1/2 cup dried fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries, or cherries), chopped
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (for a vegan option)
1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Pinch of salt

Method

- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish or tray with parchment paper.

- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and dark chocolate chips. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.

- In a small saucepan, heat the honey or maple syrup, almond butter or peanut butter, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, ground cardamom, and pinch of salt over low heat. Stir until the mixture is well combined and smooth.

- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula or your hands to thoroughly mix everything together until all the dry ingredients are coated evenly.

- Transfer the mixture into the lined baking dish or tray. Press it down firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or your hands, compacting it to form a flat surface.

- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.

- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the baking dish or tray. This will allow the muesli bars to firm up.

- Once cooled, carefully lift the bars out of the dish or tray using the edges of the parchment paper. Place them on a cutting board and cut into desired bar shapes and sizes.

- Store the dark chocolate and cardamom muesli bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be individually wrapped for convenience.