Chocolate & Cinnamon Coconut Rough Bars

I created these little beauties months and months ago, but have only just gotten around to posting the recipe! Slack, I know... 

This is not your typical 'coconut rough' recipe, because as always, I like to health-ify recipes to the max! I've added in 4 of my favourite ingredients; vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and collagen.

These nutrient-dense chocolate bites feature a concentrated protein from grass-fed collagen. I absolutely LOVE collagen as it helps to support skin, nails, hair, teeth and hair health, hormone balance, digestion, mood and sleep just to name a few. 

Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants, calcium, iron and manganese. It's also been found to help Alzheimer's, blood sugar regulation and it contains anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. 

Ginger is a wonderful addition to both sweet and savoury foods as it's not only incredibly anti-inflammatory, it's also wonderful at relieving digestive discomfort and pain.

Vanilla is one of the most used ingredients I have in my pantry, and it smells absolutely heavenly. I’m constantly adding a teaspoon here or there to my favourite recipes. You may be surprised to learn that vanilla is actually packed with a whole host of health benefits including; anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese and potassium, support hormone balance and deters depression.

Makes roughly 6-7 bars (or 12 squares)

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup collagen powder

  • 1/2 cups nuts (I used macadamia and brazil nuts)

  • 2 cups shredded coconut

  • 2-3 Tbsp of cacao powder

  • 1 tsp vanilla powder

  • Your preferred sweetener to taste (I used 2-3 Tbsp Lakanto)

  • A pinch of salt

  • 1/4 cup + 1 heaped Tbsp coconut oil

  • 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon

  • 1 tsp - 1/2 Tbsp ginger powder (optional although super yummy)

Optional: you can drizzle some super duper dark melted chocolate over the top of the bars if desired

Method

1. Add the sweetener (only if it's in a powdered form), 1.5 cups shredded coconut, collagen, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and ginger if adding it in and the nuts to a food processor or thermomix and blitz together until its completely broken down into a fine meal.
2. Now add 1/4 cup of the coconut oil and re-blend until it's all combined. 
3. If the mixture is a little dry, add the 1Tbsp of coconut oil and re-blend. It should come together nicely now. Taste the mixture and add more sweetener, ginger or cinnamon if desired. 
4. Gently stir through the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded coconut with a spoon. 
5. Scoop and press the mixture evenly into a lined loaf tin. 
6. Place in the freezer to set. 
7. Once it's ready, sliced into squares or bars and enjoy.