Candy bars don’t have to be taboo. Diet or no diet, there’s always room for a treat – especially one with three delicious layers. Turtle lovers will know exactly what I’m talking about. No, not that kind of turtle; the one famous for its chewy caramel center and sweet chocolate shell. Follow this recipe, and you won’t have to give up candy – just the wrapper…which gets in the way, anyhow.
Quest Turtle Candy Bars
Makes 8 bars
Macros per bar: 136 calories | 6 g protein | 22.8 g carbs | 5.3 g fiber | 5 g fat | 11 g sugar
Pretzel layer
1 ¼ cups pretzels
¼ scoop Quest Multi-Purpose Protein Powder
2 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
Caramel layer
6 Medjool dates, pitted
2 Tbsp. sugar-free maple syrup
1 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
Chocolate layer
2 Double Chocolate Chunk Quest Bars
Toppings
2 Tbsp. white chocolate, melted
8 pecans
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a mini loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, blend pretzels into crumbs. Pour crumbs into a medium bowl, and add protein powder, almond milk and coconut oil. Stir until crumbs are all coated and stick together.
- Press pretzel mixture into bottom of prepared loaf pan to form a crust.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine all caramel layer ingredients. Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until dates soften. Mash down to make a thick paste, and then spoon over top pretzel crust.
- Cut Quest Bars in half and heat in microwave for 20 seconds. Using your fingers, gently flatten each piece and mold on top of caramel layer.
- Bake 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool for about 30 minutes before slicing into 8 even squares.
- Decorate each square with a spoonful of melted white chocolate and a pecan – or however you want. Have fun with it and enjoy!