¼ cup water + 2 Tablespoons (In addition to water in dates.)
¼ cup coconut oil, melted (or Coconut Spread from Earth Balance*)
2 Tablespoons nut or seed butter, warmed slightly to thin (sunflower seed butter, peanut butter or almond butter would work well, too.)
1 Tablespoon molasses (Molasses adds a specific flavor that makes this recipe taste like cookie dough, but you may use another liquid sugar like pure maple syrup, honey or agave nectar.)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 cup Growing Naturals Vanilla Blast Pea Protein Powder* (it is dairy-free and Non-GMO)
⅓ to ½ cup chopped dark chocolate (GF, Vegan) or chocolate chips of your choice (Enjoy Life Foods makes chocolate chips and chunks free from Big 8 food allergens as well as gluten free.)
Directions
You will need a standard size loaf pan; do not grease the pan.
Boil dates in ½ cup water until water is nearly reduced completely and dates are very soft (about 3 minutes, full boil).
Remove dates from heat. Cool slightly; place in blender or food processor.
Add additional ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons water and process until completely smooth.
Spoon dates into mixing bowl.
Stir in coconut oil, nut/seed butter, molasses, vanilla extract and salt; stir until smooth.
Stir in protein powder until no dry areas remain.
Add chocolate; stir to distribute.
Spoon mixture into loaf pan.
Chill in fridge or freezer until firm. (Overnight in fridge, or 2 hours in freezer.)