Paleo Coconut Fudge

Food for backcountry activities - skiing and hiking - has been one of our big stumbling blocks with our paleo diet. When Dave headed out for a week of backcountry skiing at Icefall Lodge, I made a big batch of coconut fudge and it was a huge hit. Just the right amount of sweetness and a good hit of calories to provide the energy necessary for long days of skiing. This is not an everyday snack.

From Make it Paleo, makes 12 squares

Ingredients

1 cup coconut butter (or 3/4 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup coconut flour)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons maple syrup

Directions

Melt the coconut butter in a medium bowl in the microwave.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Transfer to a loaf pan lined with wax paper. Smooth flat with a spatula. Refrigerate over night, until firm.

Cut into squares and serve.

♥  Amy

Power Protein Cookies

These cookies are not your typical afternoon snack cookies. These cookies pack a serious (protein and calorie) punch.

I whipped up a big batch of these cookies for Dave to take with him to Icefall Lodge.

They can be made using your favorite protein powder. The original recipe used whey protein, I used chocolate flavoured soy protein.

Adapted from createlive, makes 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 tablespoons flax seeds
2 tablespoons hemp hearts, optional
2 tablespoons chia seeds, optional
1/4 cup diced walnuts
2 scoops protein powder

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpat.

Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on low speed until combined. Scoop onto cookie sheet using a cookie scoop and flatten with a fork.

Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to brown.

♥  Amy

Trail Bars

I actually made this recipe at the end of June for our Ribbon Lake hiking trip but the photos ended up in the Yukon with Dave...

These are one of our favorite sweet treats for the trail - they are essentially rice crispy squares on steroids. Feel free to adjust the portions to your taste - we always end up adding more peanut butter!

Makes 24 squares

1/3 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup pecans
1/3 cup almonds, slivered
1/3 cup coconut flakes
3-1/2 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter
7 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup chocolate chips

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the seeds, nuts and coconut flakes. Cook until the sesame seeds start to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the cranberries and rice cereal. Transfer to a bowl.

In the skillet over low heat, combine the peanut butter, butter and marshmallows, continuously stirring until melted. Add the cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a greased cake pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and then press the remaining half of the mixture on top.

Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan and cutting.

Amy