Berry Crumb Bars (Almond Flour and Protein)

Packed with protein these bars are tart and just sweet enough with a crumbly topping and crust sandwiching an easy jammy berry filling.

Fruit Filling:
3 cups frozen mixed berries (400 g)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (19.5 g)
2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Crust and Crumble:
1½ cups walnuts or pecans, chopped
1½ cups almond flour
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (19.5 g)
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. sea salt
¾ cup coconut oil, melted
¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

For the Berry Filling:
Combine the frozen fruit and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat on medium-high until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally and mashing the larger berries in the process, until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the protein powder and cornstarch. Set aside to cool.

For the Crust and Crumble:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4) and line an 8x8" pan with parchment paper.

In a bowl, mix the nuts, almond flour, protein powder, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until fully combined.

Set aside about ⅓ of the crumb mixture. Press the remaining ⅔ of the crumb mixture in the prepared pan. Use your hands or a spatula to smooth it out and bake for 10 minutes.

Spread the prepared fruit mixture over the baked crust. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top of the fruit layer.

Bake for another 25-30 minutes.

Let the bars cool completely before cutting.

Makes 8 bars.

Nutritional Information:
Calories 716 | Total Fat 37 g | Total Carbohydrates 82 g | Protein 25 g