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Homemade Larabars
4.8 from 99 votes

Homemade Larabars

Homemade Larabars are simple, chewy energy bars made by processing dried fruits like cherries and dates with raw almonds and warming spices such as cinnamon. This recipe involves soaking the fruit to soften it before blending it into a sticky mixture that can be pressed into a pan to set. The bars have a naturally sweet, fruit-forward taste balanced by the nutty crunch of almonds and can be varied by swapping different fruits, nuts, and spices to create flavors like cherry pie or chocolate brownie.

Prep Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 bars
Calories: 170 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Drain the fruit, discarding the soaking water. Pat the fruit completely dry with paper towels.
  4. Meanwhile, place the almonds in a food processor and process until finely chopped but not paste-like.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 170

% 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.