No-Bake Protein Packed 'Power Cubes'

The ‘power cube’ was an early recipe generated by a practical need for a healthy quick fix protein kick after a gym session. They were first conceived as bars with the intention of a being a healthy cereal bar but the consistency was denser and soft (not dry and crisp) lending itself to a flap-jack style bite sized cube.

Thus, the 'Power Cube' was born! 

I feel these bars could be a bit ‘Marmite’ in that you’ll either love em or hate em! The notion behind the cube was less ‘treat’ and more ‘nutrition’ but over the weeks and months I have refined the recipe to my own personal tastes, and so I happen to love them! My family members however do not proclaim these to be among my best work (but again, let me remind you of their reason for being, so best not compared to an indulgent cake!) They are very flexible and accommodating so feel free to change things about and throw in what you fancy- the idea being you get a dense protein rich oaty bar as the end of it!

These bars are rich in a balance of protein fats and carbs and so are also great to grab on the run when you are not sure when you will next be eating or to have a couple tucked away in your bag in case of emergency as a mini meal replacement! The cubes are also raw further boosting their nutritional status.

Recipe: No-Bake Protein Power Cubes

Makes a 20x25cm tray cut into 25 cubes.

Ingredients:

• 400g oats
• 30g dessicated coconut
• 30 hemp seeds (other small or ground seeds can be used)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tbs ground ginger or cinnamon (optional)
• 150g isolated soy protein powder (Note: any mild flavoured plant protein blend would work)
• 3 tbs almond butter
• 3 tbs smooth peanut butter (or use all PB or almond if preferred)
• 1 ripe banana- mashed
• 1 tbs vanilla essence
• 2 tbs agave syrup
• ½ tsp stevia
• Approx ¼ cup soy milk or other non-dairy milk (just enough to hold the mixture together well)

Method:

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix and mash wet ingredients together in a smaller bowl. Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix together adding as much soy milk as needed to create firm sticky dough. Firmly press the mixture into a 20x25 cm tray (or whatever similar size you have). It is easiest to line the tray with baking parchment as this will then simply lift out when ready to cut. Place the tin in the fridge for an hour (or longer) to firm up. When firm cut into cubes and store in the fridge. The cubes will keep for a week or more in the fridge and also freeze well. 

I like to make ‘gingery’ power cubes as I love ginger but feel free to vary the spices and cocoa content to your own preference.

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Healthy chocolate frosting (or mousse!)

I just love this stuff, so much so that I would probably rate it as one of my most successful recipes so far! Well, its so good it even made it to the blog banner! Aside from tasting super indulgent whilst being super healthy, it is so simple to make and can be used everywhere...

• Filling for a cake spread with a spatula
• Topping for a cupcake piped with a nozzle (or simply spooned on if you can’t wait!)
• Layered up in a tall glass with fruit and vegan yoghurt/cream for a ‘posh’ dessert
• Eaten as a chocolate mouse-y pudding in its own right

…Basically anywhere you need a rich, thick, creamy, chocolatey accompaniment… and where wouldn’t you want that??

Shhhh- I keep a tub of it in in the fridge for quick access when I’m in need of a little fix!

Recipe: Healthy chocolate frosting

Ingredients

• 350g (I carton) firm silken tofu (I use Mori nu)
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tbs melted coconut oil (use 2 tbs for a firmer frosting)
• 2tbs lemon juice (not essential)
• 2 tbs agave nectar
• 1/6 tsp pure tsp stevia powder (or omit and add extra agave or powdered sugar)
• 1/2 tsp alcohol free vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste/powder

(Note: This makes enough to fairly generously frost 12 cupcakes)

Method

So simple!! Put all ingredients into food processor and blend up very thoroughly. Spoon into a bowl and store in the fridge ready for use.

Some yummy frosting variations to try….

1. Add 1tsp grated orange rind and 1 tsp orange essence to the mixture and reduce vanilla essence to 1tsp. (if want to make frosting slightly runnier like a mouse then add 1-2 tbs orange juice).This one is my favourite flavour combo.
2. Add 1tsp instant coffee dissolved in 1tbs of boiling water. Reduce vanilla to 1tsp. Add to the mixture. 
3. Add 1tsp peppermint essence and 1 tsp of ground mint leaves to the mixture and omit the vanilla.

Let me know of any more delicious variations you have tried!

P.S. You will notice above that I have included ‘Stevia’ in the ingredients list. You can find more info here on Stevia. You can also understand more about how and why I use Stevia in my recipes here.

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