Maya’s Healthy Twix Bars are a protein-filled remake, full of coconut, almond flour and peanut butter. The shortbread-style base is smothered with healthy caramel sauce and topped with sea salted chocolate. Think of a millionaire’s shortbread recipe that leaves you feeling satisfied.
Community Recipes is a recurring feature where we share your recipes on the Jewish Food Hero blog. If you want to share a recipe in this series, pitch us your idea here. This series is all about sharing Kosher recipes. We are creating a positive community around food and sharing.
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Tell us about yourself, Maya Maizlech!
I’m an Institute for Integrated Nutrition certified Integrative Nutrition health coach and wellness educator who believes that being healthy isn’t at all about running a marathon or banning carbs. It’s about embracing a balanced diet full of whole foods that bring me happiness and make me feel nourished and strong. But it’s not all about food. In my eyes, holistic wellness is just as much about the nutrition on your plate as the nutrition off your plate. It’s creating a positive mindset with good habits and wholesome routines.
Besides my work as a nutrition coach, I’m also a yoga instructor and part time social media manager for an amazing non-profit. I’m originally from Leicester, England but moved to Jerusalem, Israel 5 years ago where I met my husband, Sammy, and have since settled down here.
Find me on Instagram @mayamaizlech to see more of my recipes and health tips.
What do you to do unwind?
If the weather allows it, you’ll probably find me at the beach but if it’s a cold winter day, I’ll be unwinding with a cozy blanket and the fairy lights on. I’m big on the concept of hygge – a Danish word that describes a mood of coziness and “comfortable conviviality” with feelings of wellness and contentment. My fave cuisines are Asian or Italian but if I had to pick one favorite meal, it would be roasted veggie loaded pasta, in a creamy rose sauce with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese! I love warm, comforting foods or a clean sweet treat (like these Healthy Twix Bars!)
What’s your passion project?
I’m super passionate about creating a down-to-earth, education-based approach to whole body health, specifically geared towards young women and new mamas so that their families will reap the rewards of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle for generations to come.
How is your connection with Judaism expressed in your life in general, and through your cooking?
Although I didn’t grow up religious, I’m now an observant Orthodox Jew. I couldn’t be more grateful to the people who had a role to play in that journey and I can’t pretend that freshly baked challah at Friday night meals didn’t have a role to play either… Cooking and baking is an integral aspect of our Jewish culture. In fact, I learned a ton of my kitchen skills from my Rebbetzin and I have to admit that she’s my inspiration for creating quick and easy but totally delicious and impressive-looking recipes.
How do you express your values in your home through your kitchen?
I love having Shabbat guests, dishing out yummy food, and making sure nobody goes hungry. There are 2 non-negotiables when it comes to my cooking: 1. it has to be hassle free, and 2. it’s going to be infused with flavor – and that’s kind of how I want my home to feel too!
What is the best thing you learned from another person about food and hospitality?
My Mum taught me that food is a love language – whether you’re the receiver or giver of a home-cooked meal, there’s a connection waiting to be made through a delicious dish.
What three food items could you not live without?
Sweet potato, marinara sauce, dark chocolate
What is your best food tip?
Ask yourself, “what am I adding to my plate that’s going to nourish me in this meal?” This simple question helps you focus on abundance instead of restriction, while making that small shift towards a healthier you at every meal!
What are your 2-3 go-to cookbooks?
Dinner Done by Between Carpools
This book is by the collective of Jewish women behind the lifestyle website, Between Carpools. They share more than 150 quick and easy recipes, including meals like: No-Fry Hot Poppers, Crispy Chicken, Meat Pizza, Maple Salmon, No-Pot No-Cream Fettuccine Alfredo.
Food You Love That Loves You Back by Rorie Weisberg
Rorie Weisberg is a kosher cooking legend. In this book, she shares healthful versions of favorite recipes: schnitzel, brisket, kugel, cholent, dips, salads, veggie sides, chocolate mousse and cookie crumble.
Simply by Rivky Kleiman
The title says it all: this book is all about keeping food simple and delicious. The recipes are quick to prepare and include more adventurous dishes like Japanese yam spears and tuna tartare tower, alongside family-friendly stuffed shells and chicken tenders.
What’s your Healthy Twix Bars recipe story?
The first time I tried this recipe, I ended up making 3 batches in 1 week because it got devoured by myself, my husband, and friends and family. I wanted to try a healthier sweet recipe that also had a protein kick (natural PB: check). Although I’m sure I’m not the first person to make this, I played around with the ingredients to find the perfect balance of flavors and texture, so it really feels like you’re biting into a delicious Twix bar!
Maya’s Healthy Twix Bars Recipe
- Author: Maya Maizlech
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: freeze for 1 hour 15
- Total Time: 18 minute
- Yield: 12 bars
- Cuisine: dessert
Ingredients
For the shortbread:
1 cup almond flour
⅓ cup coconut oil
3 tbsp honey, warmed
For the caramel:
½ cup natural peanut butter (or any nut butter)
¼ cup coconut oil
1 tbsp vanilla extract
¼ cup maple syrup
Pinch sea salt
For the chocolate:
½ cup dark choc chips
Flaky sea salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Combine almond flour, melted coconut and warm honey in a bowl until smooth.
Line a small dish with baking paper and pack down the shortbread mixture into the base.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Remove and let cool completely.
While the base cools, combine peanut butter, coconut oil, vanilla, maple syrup and sea salt in a saucepan on the stove until liquid and smooth, around 2 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.
When the shortbread layer and caramel have cooled, pour the caramel sauce over the shortbread base, spreading evenly. Place in the freezer until it hardens completely (1 hour minimum).
Melt chocolate chips until smooth and liquid.
Remove shortbread and caramel layer from the freezer, pour melted chocolate layer on top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Set back in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Once chilled, slice into strips and serve cold.
Keywords: healthy treat, protein, chocolate bar
More Community Recipes
Jewish Food Hero’s Community Recipes feature is a space for us all to share our favorites and hear from a variety of people in our community. This is an easy and fun way to get new meal ideas and learn about each other. Since you’ve read Maya’s recipe, do you feel inspired to share your Kosher recipe? Don’t forget to get in touch to share your recipe too!
Check out these other recipes from our community:
Sarah’s Artichoke and Pea Orzo Pasta Recipe
Benedetta’s Herbed Pumpkin Spread Recipe
Rachel’s Crispy Potato Latkes Recipe
