I loved reading your comments on yesterday’s Classic Green Monster post. Finally, I do not feel so alone.
I forgot to tell you, but earlier this week I had a Green Monster photoshoot in my very own kitchen. I was interviewed for a newspaper article a while back and they sent a photographer to do a shoot for the article. The photographer was looking for ideas on what we could do for the shoot and I suggested that I could make a Green Monster in the kitchen…
As soon as I heard myself saying the words ‘Green Monster’, I felt a bit awkward. It can be embarrassing trying to explain to a stranger what a Green Monster is and then convincing them that 1) you are not insane, and 2) You really are older than 8 years old.
But luckily the photographer was excited about the idea went along with the idea out of fear and it was quite fun! Here’s hoping there is not an awkward piece of spinach in my teeth in the photo…
Naturally, on my quest for consuming as much chocolate as humanly possible this week I made a Chocolate Peanut Butter version of these delicious chews.
These Almond Butter Chews were my first attempt…
It was love at first chew.
Not being able to share like proper adults, Eric and I fought over the last chew. We finally agreed on splitting it down the middle.
I cut, he picked.
He got the bigger half. [Insert mad PMS face]
And then Eric begged me to make a chocolate version because he is basically the male version of a PMS monster and will eat chocolate 24/7 if he could. He didn’t really have to twist my arm though…we make a good, chocolate-lovin’ team.
5 Minute Chocolate Peanut Butter Chews
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Crisp Rice cereal (I use GF Nature’s Path)
- 1/4 cup smooth all-natural peanut butter
- 3 tbsp organic brown rice syrup
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips
Directions: Line a plate with parchment paper. In a medium sized bowl, stir together the peanut butter, brown rice syrup, 2 tbsp chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Microwave on high for 35-45 seconds. Stir well and immediately add in the 1 tsp cocoa powder. Stir until incorporated. Immediately stir in the rice crisp cereal until all rice crispies are coated.
Wet hands thoroughly and shape the mixture into ‘golf-balls’. Press mixture together firmly into balls so it will hold. Wet hands after each ball is formed so the mixture will not stick to your hands. Place the balls onto parchment paper and freeze for 5 minutes. You can keep these chews in the freezer in a sealed container. Let the chews sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before consuming. This version gets more firm in the freezer than the first version does.
Makes 7 golf-ball sized chews.
Nutritional info: (per large ball, makes 7 balls): 113 kcals, 6 grams fat, 14 grams carbs, 8 grams sugar, 2 grams protein.
The first thing you do is add the brown rice syrup, chocolate chips, vanilla, and peanut butter into a bowl. Stir very well to mix.
Now microwave this mixture for 45-70 seconds, being sure to stop the microwave every 30 seconds to stir. Be very careful not to burn.
If you burn it, you will cry.
Stir in the cocoa powder into the microwaved mixture and now stir in the rice crisp cereal.
Press firmly into balls and place on a plate or small baking sheet lined with parchment. Freeze for about 5-10 minutes.
The Chocolate PB chews harden up much more than the original Almond Butter Chews, I assume because the chocolate hardens when chilled. This version can’t really be eaten straight from the freezer, but they are perfect after sitting on the counter for about 5-10 minutes or so.
I also tried to make a carrot cake version and a banana PB version, but both did not turn out (too much moisture from carrots and banana). I think the carrots and banana would have to be dehydrated for it to stick together.
And if you are feeling really crazy…why not try making a Double Chocolate version by using some homemade Dark Chocolate Almond Butter? I’m sure that would be incredible!
Ok, I will stop now.
But seriously…make these. They rule.
Happy Friday!
Yummmm! These look delicious!
These are so versatile! Thanks for the great recipe. I made a few versions to stick in the freezer. I used raw honey and they held together just fine. I used an ice cream scoop to make the ball, and stuck a whole almond in the middle. I rolled them in coconut too. They are awesome!
Ok after making the banana oat bars about 5 times in a row, I forced myself to try another recipe (those oat bars are just soooo good!)…and omgosh these are wickedly good!!
I read this after just telling my grandma, “Watch out for my green monster in the fridge.” It took some explaining. haha =) A warning to sugar addicts about these here chews: Beware ;). These are as completely fabulous as Angela’s non-treat recipes, so you really do need willpower if you are dieting. Having forgotten to take that into consideration & having been such an angel on my diet lately thanks to this awesome website… and truly thinking I would make these last a week… I ate them ALL but one today. These just aren’t bland like some of the health food varieties that I can let sit around & ignore. They CALLED me from the freezer, and I was unprepared to not indulge… lol The good news: Grandma ate the other one & is now sold on my new healthy diet. Thank you, Angela, for sharing so many of your amazing recipes and your inspiring story. Aside from my little adventure today, I have had a major diet transformation since stumbling upon your site and have felt like a million bucks after being sick for long time. I really do glow now, literally. You have helped make a difference in health and in my life! You are a beautiful, wonderful person, and I love how your personality & passion shine through in all you do! =)
Cynthia it’s so nice to meet you! Your comment is so kind yet hilarious all at the same time…yes those chews do hold a magical power. Goodluck with the rest of your goals!
I’M SO HAPPY TO FOUND THIS BLOG!I JUST MAKE THIS SWEETS AND I LIKE THEM VERY MUCH!!!IS MY FIRST SWEET RECIPE FROM MY NEW LIFE!VEGAN AND RAW!YOU LOOK SUPER AND I LOVE YOUR SMILLE!I HAVE ONLY 50 DAYS FROM WHEN I CHANGE AND I FEEL SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!I WISH ALL THE BEST!FROM KOS,GREECE,LORETTA
Just made these with a couple of substitutions…. I was out of peanut butter and my grocery store was closed and the local organics store was open but also out of peanut butter. So, I bought some “Amazon Jungle Peanuts” and turned them into peanut butter with my food processor… hmm, I think they needed to be roasted first as the peanut butter tastes a lot like peas, and not the small sweet kind. Also, I don’t like brown rice syrup, so I substituted Agave Nectar. That was a good sub, though I will use less next time as it’s too sweet with 3 tablespoons. Getting more PB tomorrow, so am looking forward to trying the recipe again. They taste pretty good as is, but I’m sure they will taste better with different PB. Thanks for the great recipe!!
I love your blog. I just found it on Saturday and have made so many recipes…all of them being really good! I took this a little step further and rolled them in a dusting of ground flaxseed…my boys loved them!! Thanks for what you do for all of us!
These are addicting! I make these almost every other day. I’m not vegan (yet!) and I have a huge sweet tooth and these satisfy my cravings without any artificial ingredients. Soooo yummy!
These were absolutely delicious! Next time I will make them when I am alone in the house, so I don’t have to share! :-)
Thank you! These are so easy to make and so yummy! My Gran loved them so much she wanted a batch for her Birthday! :D
The only time my daughter craves chocolate is when she’s pms-ing. I’m adding this to the list to make this month! I’m going to try agave nectar because I have it. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I think adding coconut oil would help the almond butter ones firm up better. I will gve it a try and let you know!
These are so delicious. I was looking for a quick choco/pb bar to make and these hit the spot.
These are the best ever! Thanks Angela. They won’t make it through the day. Think I’m going to have to start tripling the recipe!
Would it work if you substituted maple syrup instead of rice syrup?
Satisfied my sweet tooth. Quick and good ?