Recipe: Homemade Protein Bars

HOMEMADE PROTEIN BARS

4 ounces soy protein powder, about 1 cup
2 1/4 ounces oat bran, about 1/2 cup
2 3/4 ounces whole-wheat flour, about 1/2 cup
3/4 ounce wheat germ, about 1/4 cup
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 ounces raisins, about 1/2 cup
2 1/2 ounces dried cherries, about 1/2 cup
3 ounces dried blueberries, about 1/2 cup
2 1/2 ounces dried apricots, about 1/2 cup
1 (12.3-ounce) package soft silken tofu
1/2 cup unfiltered apple juice
4 ounces dark brown sugar, about 1/2 cup packed
2 large whole eggs, beaten
2/3 cup natural peanut butter
Canola oil, for pan

Line the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and lightly coat with canola oil. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, oat bran, wheat flour, wheat germ and salt. Set aside.

Coarsely chop the raisins, dried cherries, blueberries and apricots, place in a small bowl and set aside.

In a third mixing bowl, whisk the tofu until smooth. Add the apple juice, brown sugar, eggs and peanut butter, 1 at a time, and whisk to combine after each addition. Add this to the protein powder mixture and stir well to combine. Fold in the dried fruit. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares.

Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Makes 16 bars

Nutritional information per serving: 219 cal., 8 g fat (2 g sat.), 26 mg chol., 33 g carb., 235 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 9 g pro.

Source: Alton Brown, Good Eats - TV Food Network