Homemade Larabars
User Reviews
4.8
Homemade Larabars
Description
Homemade Larabars combine dried fruits and nuts into a no-bake energy bar setting in a loaf pan lined with parchment or plastic wrap. The cherries and dates are soaked briefly to soften them and then finely processed with raw almonds and a dash of cinnamon and salt until the mixture clumps together. This stickiness helps the bars hold their shape once pressed and chilled. The texture is chewy with small bits of nuts throughout, and the flavor is mildly spiced and fruity. Variations use different dried fruits like apples, bananas, or blueberries, and other nuts such as walnuts or pecans, giving flexibility for customization.
The bars work well as a convenient grab-and-go snack providing natural sweetness without added sugars, making them a good option for energy between meals or before physical activity. They can be sliced into individual servings and stored chilled. Because the recipe uses whole food ingredients and requires no baking, it's accessible for home cooks looking to prepare nutritious snacks.
Ingredients
For cherry pie larabars
- olive oil for the pan, mild; or vegetable or coconut oil
- 1 cup dried cherries packed
- 1/4 cup dates packed, pitted, soft, whole
- 1 cup water for soaking the fruit, warm
- 1 cup almond raw
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt optional, fine sea salt
Instructions
- Rip off a large piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, press it into a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, and, if using plastic wrap, slick it with a little oil.
- Combine the cherries, dates, and warm water in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, until the fruit is soft. (If the dried fruit you're using is already super soft and moist, you can skip the soaking step.)The exact timing will vary according to the dryness of the fruit.
- Drain the fruit, discarding the soaking water. Pat the fruit completely dry with paper towels.
- Meanwhile, place the almonds in a food processor and process until finely chopped but not paste-like.
- Add the drained fruit, cinnamon, and salt (if using), to the food processor and pulse until the fruit is finely chopped and the larabar mixture begins to stick together and clump against the sides of the bowl and your processor starts hopping on the counter just a little. This could take up to 2 minutes.
- Transfer the larabar mixture to the prepared loaf pan. (Alternatively, you can form the mixture into any size or shape you can imagine. Go a little crazy.) Place a large piece of parchment paper or wrap slicked with oil atop the bar mixture and use it to spread and flatten the mixture evenly in the pan. (If you have a second loaf pan, you can nestle it inside the first and press the pan down to evenly flatten the mixture.) Leave the paper or wrap in place. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Using the paper or wrap hanging over the edge of the pan, lift the bar mixture from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Discard the paper or wrap and cut the rectangle into 6 bars. Tightly wrap each bar in wrap.
- The bars will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months (let the frozen bar thaw for 1 hour before attempting to bite into it).
Notes
- Soak dried fruits in warm water until soft before processing for easier blending and a moister texture.
- Line your pan with parchment or lightly oiled plastic wrap for easy removal of the bars once set.
- You can customize flavors by substituting different dried fruits, nuts, and spices as described in the recipe notes.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold their shape when sliced.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 170 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 170kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Sodium | 51mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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