PB+J Chocolate Bars

One bite of these flavor packed bars will bring you right back to your childhood. Only this time around pb&j has gone through some major upgrades: covered in a layer of creamy chocolate and (in my opinion the best part) the peanut butter and jelly are not mashed between two pieces of white, mushy Wonder Bread that has been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long. Okay that's enough ranting about poor quality "bread", now onto the recipe. Ingredients:

First layer:

• 1 cup peanut butter- I like to use an all natural pb with nothing added like this

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1/2 cup almond flour

Second Layer:

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries (I used a bag that had cherries and no strawberries)

• 1/2 cup frozen raspberries

• 1/2 tsp agar agar (this is a plant-based gelatin substitute, so gelatin is also an option here)

• 1/2 cup of water

Third Layer:

• 1 cup chocolate chips

• 1/4 cup milk of choice

Method:

1. Melt the peanut butter and stir in the maple syrup

2. Mix in the almond flour and press into a square pan that is covered in parchment paper for easy removal

3. Let that rest in the fridge while you prepare the "jelly" layer

4. Defrost the berries in the microwave until soupy

5. While the berries are defrosting, mix the agar agar and water in a saucepan, bring up to a boil and let simmer for five minutes (if using gelatin, follow the instructions on the packet)

6. Mash up the berries a bit with a fork or potato masher, and then blend with an immersion or regular blender until there are no more chunks

7. Pour the agar agar mixture into the berries and give it a good stir

8. Pour the berry mix over the peanut butter layer and let it set up in the fridge for at least 20 minutes while you make the chocolate sauce

9. Melt together the chocolate and milk over a double boiler (or in microwave, but be verrryy careful not to burn the chocolate) until smooth

10. After 20 minutes is up, pour the chocolate on top of the jelly layer and let it set up in the fridge until the chocolate solidifies

11. Cut into bars and enjoy :) *store in fridge for a week or freeze for up to a few weeks