Yield: 10 bars

2 cups Medjool dates, pitted (soak in water if hard)
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
½ cup hemp seeds or protein or collagen powder
1 cup raw cashews
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp maple syrup
Pinch of salt
Optional: 2 Tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder for an extra kick

Combine all ingredients into a bowl and mix well.

Form mixture into 1-inch by 3-inch bars. Add slightly more maple syrup or coconut oil to make the batter wetter, or slightly more shredded coconut, hemp seeds, protein or collagen powder to make the mixture drier to form into bars.

Place bars in a glass container and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. The bars will keep in the refrigerator for about one week or in the freezer for about one month.

Recipe courtesy of Holley Samuel, MEd, RD, CSSD, CPT, a sports dietitian.