I introduced fresh medjool dates to my partner recently and… it actually didn’t go well! I think the sticky sweetness was a little weird for him at first. But I LOVE them. They taste like the sweetest thing nature ever invented. I’ve used them to make lots of recipes, most notable this vegan raw date caramel and these salted caramel apple donuts. Hurrah for anything healthy, vegan, and no-bake, amirite?
If you’ve ever had a Larabar in your life, you’ll know they’re tasty and only have a few ingredients. They rely heavily on medjool dates for their flavor and consistency. So making homemade Larabars at home is actually a cinch and totally customizable. Your base is just a bunch of dates and a bunch of nuts. That’s it, folks. It’s a totally legit fruit and but bar that tastes and looks exactly like Lara’s.
Customizations you could make: add coconut, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, sesame seeds, cinnamon, chia seeds, peanut butter powder, nut butter of your choice, green nutrient powder, protein powder, oats… whatever you’ve got!
You can also substitute almost any nut or dried fruit like cherries, figs, prunes, apricots, pistachios, pecans, etc. (although the dates are mandatory if you want this particular taste and texture).
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Ingredients
- 1 cup nuts of your choice (I used almonds and walnuts)
- 1 cup dried fruit of your choice (I used golden raisins)
- 1 cup (10-15) Medjool dates, pitted
Instructions
- Combine fruit and nuts in a food processor and pulse slowly to break everything up. Continue to pulse, scraping the bowl as needed, until it forms a ball. This should take 2-3 minutes.
- On a large piece of parchment, press the ball into a square shape about 8x8 inches. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Using a sharp knife, slice into bars or squares and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. they freeze well, too!
If you make this recipe, share a photo and tag it @BIJOUXANDBITS. I’d love to see what you’re cooking!
Catherine Clark is a Chicago native sharing noteworthy things she sees and attempts to make in the world. She's a geek, cat lady, designer and editor by day, and noob chef by night.
I’m afraid I have to agree with your partner : pass.
Dates just… taste wrong. And look wrong. Like legless cockroaches. ::shudder::
HA! I love your way with words. And you’re not wrong, they do look really weird. 😉
Thanks for your recipe gonna make some Lara bars peanut and choc chip w coconut butter vanilla and a wee bit of salt of course w dates— love em. But as far as vegan goes dang that’s just nutty as a diet!! Onward omnivores!!!
Oh my, these were so easy and so good! My 8 year old son practically made them by himself. And just like with chocolate, how can anyone not like dates?! We love love love dates! Kid approved here and definitely a keeper recipe.:-)