I was looking through the box of The Australian Women’s Weekly Recipe Card Library circa early 1980’s that mum had passed down to me for some back to basic recipes for the lunchbox and snacks. I found this easy recipe for Coconut Health Bars. It seems back in the early 80’s coconut was very popular and in 2015 everyone has seemingly gone crazy of it.
What I like about the 80’s is that is was understated it didn’t need to promoted as a “super food” it was simply just an ingredient that was readily available and families enjoyed it. And that’s how it should be. I have made some adjustments to the way it is made, but apart from that the ingredients are the same.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup Sunflower Seeds
100gm Sesame Seeds
1/2 Cup Honey
1 Cup Coconut
LETS PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
1. Place the sunflower and sesame seeds into a food processor with the metal blade. Process for 1 minute. You want to break the sunflower seeds down.
2. In a small saucepan over a high heat add the honey and bring to the boil. Boil the honey for 2 minutes and then add the seed mix. Cook for a further minute stirring.
3. Add the coconut and mix well. Remove from the heat.
4. Place into a lined square baking dish or slice tray and press down until even. Place in the fridge until it is set. Approx 2 hours. Cut into slices and eat.
Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
So quick to make and yummy! Do you wait for it to cool down before putting it in the fridge?
Glad you like.
Ok so this might be a silly question but what do you put with the honey to boil it? Water or just oil? And how much? And does it matter what kind of honey? I only have manuka honey… thanks
You don’t add anything to the honey. Just honey in a saucepan on the stove. Any honey will be fine.
Hi, they sound delicious! Do you have the nutritional information please?
Hi Karen, no I don’t have the nutritional breakdown sorry
Would this work with something other than honey? Is Maple syrup too runny?
I’d say it would be too runny. The honey helps the slice set.
Rice malt syrup is a great alternative to honey
Hi, was wondering is there a substitute to sunflower seeds? i cant seem to find them 🙁
Try pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
Hi there, great recipe however you shouldn’t boil honey as it turns toxic when reaching high temperatures you can gently melt on a low heat though still getting same results without toxicity, stir continuously and don’t let bubble. Cheers, Tami
I’ve been heating honey for years and never had any issue with it being boiled. My understanding is that while heat may break down the medicinal properties it doesn’t actually make it toxic.
Agreed!
Hi, just wondering if these are freezable? Thank you
Tanya
I haven’t froze them before, but they last for weeks in the fridge.
I don’t think there will be any left to worry about. Our whole batch disappeared before it had even cooled properly. It’s a big hit in our house.
Do you use unsweetened coconut? Thanks
Hi Christine, I just buy the desiccated coconut from the supermarket.
Hi i was wondering can you use sunflower kernals?
yes you sure can.
Just made these with rice malt syrup. I blended the sunflower seeds and sesame seeds very fine so it was a very smooth consistency. I also sprinkled shaved coconut and a light dusting of ginger on top before I put it in the fridge to set (I patted it down with baking paper so it nestled on the surface). I told the kids it was cookie dough and they thought it was delicious!!!