Name: DIY Lara Bars
Ingredients: 2 cups of chopped dates; 2 cups of raw cashews, sunflower seeds, or almonds; 1 cup of coconut flakes + (1 cup of coconut flakes for coconut milk); ¼ cup virgin coconut oil, melted; ½ cup organic raisins; ½ cup dried cranberries; ¼ cup flax, freshly ground

Description

Raw fruit and nut bars that you can use as a meal replacement or snack. Fits into raw food, gluten-free, paleo, and diabetic diet plans.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups chopped dates
2 cups raw cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
¼ cup flaxseed, freshly ground
1 cup coconut flakes
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
¼ cup peanut butter

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Instructions

Line an 8-inch x 11-inch straight-sided pan with a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, so that the paper hangs over the long edges. Set aside
Fit a food processor with a metal blade. Add the cashews or other nuts or seeds, sesame seeds, and flax seeds to the processor and pulse until they are uniformly finely chopped (think fresh bread crumb texture)
Add the coconut flakes and pulse again until finely chopped and uniform with the nuts
Pour the coconut/nut mixture into a large mixing bowl and set it aside
Add half of the dates to the food processor and process until a paste forms and clumps together in the work bowl
Open the food processor and add in half of the nut/coconut mixture, 1 tablespoon cocoa, and half the peanut butter mixture
Replace the lid and process until evenly combined. Scrape into the prepared pan
Repeat with the remaining dates, nut/coconut mixture, cocoa, and peanut butter
When all of the ingredients have been processed, wet your hands and use them to press the mixture as evenly over the bottom of the pan as possible
Fold the excess parchment over the bars to cover them
Roll your rolling pin over the top to smooth the surface, if desired
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing
Use the excess parchment paper as a sling to transfer the now-firm bars from the pan to a large cutting board
Cut into squares and store in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container

Notes

If you have a nut allergy, sunflower or pumpkin seeds can be substituted for the nuts in the recipe
You can add extras like flax, chia seeds, or green powder for extra nutritive punch
An unrefrigerated bar will be good for 48 hours, covered, at room temperature
Will keep refrigerated for weeks, and in the freezer for months
(Optional) Extend the shelf life at room temperature by drying the bars in your dehydrator for a few hours, until dry to the touch