I was going to make my husband our regular chocolate peanut butter protein bars but I didn't have chocolate protein powder, and I decided to change a few other things as well - including using the chocolate layer from my favorite coconut bar instead of the peanut butter top layer.
I ended up with a completely different product and even though I don't really care one way or another about chocolate and peanut butter, when I was cutting and trimming these bars I took a bite and my eyes honestly, really did get wider and I said, "Oh. Wow!" It was that good. Very smooth and creamy as well as being a little sweeter than the original bar I usually make.
This one reminds me of an expensive peanut butter truffle. Remember, all brands of products make a difference in the taste and texture - as well as the amount of liquids you use. So play around with this one!
Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
1 3/4 c vanilla protein powder (I use Isopure with zero sugar or carbs)
1/4 c (heaped) low sugar peanut flour
2 T cocoa powder
1/3 c natural sweetener granules
5 - 10 drops liquid sweetener (different amounts for different brands and strengths)
2 t vanilla
1/4 c butter
2/3 c sugar free, natural peanut butter
1/4 c heavy cream or half and half
1/4 c water
Topping:
3/4 of a small bag Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate Chips
1 T butter
2 T cream
1 T sweetener if you wish
1 t vanilla
Blend the protein powder, peanut flour, cocoa, and powdered sweeteners in a bowl. In a microwaveable bowl, place the butter and peanut butter and microwave until melted. Stir in the vanilla, cream and water. Blend the wet and dry. You can add 1 teaspoon of cream or water more if you really need to but dry is better than too wet as it will be too sticky. Pat and press the mixture into a lined or sprayed 8X8" pan.
Melt the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl in the microwave and add the cream, vanilla and sweetener if you want to use it. Spread this over your bars. Refrigerate until the topping sets up then slice into long bars. I get 10 bars from this. I then wrapped each individually in saran wrap to make them portable and quick to grab. We keep ours in the refrigerator.
I keep these individually wrapped, in a basket in the refrigerator for easy 'grab 'n go' for my husband