1-½cupsdatesor a combination of dates and another variety of dried fruit
⅛teaspoonkosher salt
Instructions
Place dates into a small heat-safe bowl. Pour hot water over the dates and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes to soften the dates.
Once the dates have soaked, drain the liquid off the dates, reserving the liquid to use if needed.
Fit a food processor with an s-blade. Place nuts in the food processor and pulse until the nuts break down into small pieces.
Add in the dates and dash of salt, and pulse the mixture together until the dates have broken down and a thick paste forms, scraping the sides down if needed. Add in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the soaking liquid if needed to help bring the mixture together.
To shape larabars press mixture into a 7×11 pan lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing int0 6 bars.
Alternatively, you can shape the mixture into 1-2 inch balls for a bite-size treat.
Notes
Dates: This recipe uses Deglet Noir Dates, which are the most commonly sold dates in the United States. However, you can use Medjool dates. They are softer and may not need to be soaked. Do not use chopped dates, as they are coated in sugar and/or cornstarch. Storage: Store homemade larabars in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, or in the pantry for 2-3 days. Store in a container lined with wax or parchment paper, adding wax or parchment paper in between layers of bars. I do not recommend freezing larabars, as the texture will greatly change when defrosted.
Larabar Flavor Options:
Cashew Cookie: 1 cup cashees combined with 1 ½ cups of pitted whole dates.
Peanut Butter Cookie: 1 cup of peanuts combined with 1 ½ cups of pitted whole dates
Oatmeal Raisin: Combine 1 cup walnuts with 1 cup raisins, ¾ cup oatmeal, 1 tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp vanilla extract.
Cherry Pie: Combine 1 cup almonds with 1 cup dried unsweetened cherries, ½ cup dates, a dash of salt, and ¼ tsp cinnamon.
Dark Chocolate: Combine ½ cup almonds and ½ cup walnuts with 1 ¼ cup pitted dates, 3 tablespoons bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate, and 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.
Apple Pie: Combine ½ cup almonds and ½ cup pecans or walnuts with 1 cup dried apples, ½ cup pitted dates, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, and a dash of salt.
Pecan Pie: Combine ¼ cup almonds and ¾ cup pecans with 1 ½ cups pitted dates and a dash of salt.
PB & J: Process 1 cup peanuts with ½ cup packed dried cherries, 1 cup pitted dates, and a dash of salt.