Pistachio Raspberry Energy Bars

Homemade Pistachio Raspberry Energy bars, taste like dessert but are actually the perfect quick healthy snack! Only 6 ingredients involved, and 20 minutes of preparation time. But thats not all friends, these bars are gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut, and refined sugar free, as well as vegan and paleo. I call that a major win!

INGREDIENTS
For pistachio layer:
1 1/2 cup (170 g) ground pistachios
1/4 cup (65 g) almond butter or pistachio butter
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp (100 g) maple syrup or honey
1-2 tbsp sugar free pistachio pudding (optional, but worth it)
For raspberry flavor:
2 cups (225 g) ground almonds
1/4 cup (50 g) melted coconut oil
1/4 cup +1 tbsp (100 g) maple syrup or honey
1/3 cup raspberry reduction (see notes)

DIRECTIONS
For pistachio layer:

1. Line the container of choice (see notes) with baking/ greaseproof paper.
2. In a bowl, mix all the pistachio layer ingredients together until you get a homogeneous mixture. The final consistency will be cookie dough- like.
3. Press the mixture into the lined container until you get a firm, even layer.
4. Set aside.

For raspberry layer:

1. In a bowl, mix all the raspberry layer ingredients together until you get a homogenous mixture. 
2. The final consistency will be runnier than that of the pistachio layer.
3. Transfer the raspberry mixture on top of the pistachio layer, and smooth out the surface with a spoon or spatula.
4. Freeze over night.

Storage: The pistachio raspberry energy bars keep well in a closed container in the fridge for about 1 week, or in the freezer for 2-3 weeks.

Recipe notes:

1. To make the raspberry reduction, start with 1 1/2 cups (190 g) fresh or frozen raspberries. In a small saucepan, cook the raspberries on medium-high heat until they have released their juice and part of the liquid has evaporated. Pass the mixture through sieve to remove the seeds and skin. Return the raspberry juice to the saucepan and cook further until it has decreased in volume to about 1/3 cup (about 60 g). 
2. You will need a freezer friendly container. Recommended size is 4 1/2 x 7 inch container 1 1/2 inch deep. Bigger or smaller container size will work, it will simply make the bars flatter/ or thicker.

*Recipe from Theloopywhisk.com*