Lara Bars are one of my faves! n fact, Lara Bars were my inspiration! I love their bars because they are all natural, with only natural sweeteners (usually just good ole dates!).
It's taken a couple trial runs to get these bars chewy and delicious like I want them to be. But gosh darn it, I think I got it! I came up with a pretty delicious recipe if I do say so myself; they remind me of a Lara Bar, but so much more interesting!
These bars have flax and chia seeds; both are known for their healthy fiber and omega-3 fatty acids as well as other nutritional benefits including a cancer fighting quality due to the phytochemical called lignan in the seeds! They are also a great source of nutritional minerals! Cinnamon also has a TON of nutrition benefits. I wouldn't consider them a protein bar, but I WOULD consider them an absolutely YUM-E superfood ENERGY bar!
*If you would like these higher in protein, you might try subbing the oat bran for protein powder
Date & Nut Superfood Bars
1/3 cup dates, soaked in 3-4 T. hot water for 15-30 minutes, then drained (reserve the yummy liquid!)
1/4 cup cashews
3 T. almond butter
1/4 cup lower sugar dried cranberries
3 T. ground flax seeds
2 T. chia seeds
1/3 cup oat bran*
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. ground ginger
dash salt
reserved liquid from soaking dates, as needed
1 T. wheat germ
*you can sub ground oats if you can't find oat bran - oat bran has better nutritional value
Line small square baking dish with parchment paper (I spray the bottom of the pan before laying parchment on top so it sticks to the pan a bit better).
Drain dates, but reserve that yummy liquid! [You can use some of the bars need a little moisture. You can also use the liquid to naturally sweeten tea! YUM-E!]
Put all ingredients in food processor (if you don't have a food processor, a high power blender will work too…although it may be difficult to get the ingredients out after mixed). Blend on low 60-90 seconds. Scrap sides of food processor bowl and blend again for 60-90 seconds on high. Scrap sides of processor bowl again; blend another 60 seconds. At this point, you should see the mixture coming together in a manner that will allow you to form the bars. If it is not coming together, add 1-3 t. of reserved liquid from soaking dates (I used about 2 t.).
Transfer mixture to parchment lined baking dish and spread with fingers until even (a tiny bit of cooking spray or coconut oil on your fingers will help you form the bars without the mixture sticking to your fingers!). Sprinkle top of bars with wheat germ.
Allow bars to set in fridge 3-4 hours. Cut into 6 bars. Store in airtight container, separating each bar with parchment paper so they don't stick together.
Enjoy when you need an energy boost, or just a chewy & sweet sinLESS snack!
Servings: 6
Nutrition Facts per bar:
Calories 168.5
Fat 9g (1g saturated fat)
Carbs 21.5g
Fiber 7g
Sugar 8g
Protein 5g
Sodium 88mg
Potassium 50mg
Iron 10% of daily recommended value
Calcium 6% of daily recommended value
Omega 3 fatty acids about 1,020mg
Omega 6 fatty acids
reserved liquid from soaking dates, as needed
1 T. wheat germ
*you can sub ground oats if you can't find oat bran - oat bran has better nutritional value
Line small square baking dish with parchment paper (I spray the bottom of the pan before laying parchment on top so it sticks to the pan a bit better).
Drain dates, but reserve that yummy liquid! [You can use some of the bars need a little moisture. You can also use the liquid to naturally sweeten tea! YUM-E!]
Put all ingredients in food processor (if you don't have a food processor, a high power blender will work too…although it may be difficult to get the ingredients out after mixed). Blend on low 60-90 seconds. Scrap sides of food processor bowl and blend again for 60-90 seconds on high. Scrap sides of processor bowl again; blend another 60 seconds. At this point, you should see the mixture coming together in a manner that will allow you to form the bars. If it is not coming together, add 1-3 t. of reserved liquid from soaking dates (I used about 2 t.).
Transfer mixture to parchment lined baking dish and spread with fingers until even (a tiny bit of cooking spray or coconut oil on your fingers will help you form the bars without the mixture sticking to your fingers!). Sprinkle top of bars with wheat germ.
Allow bars to set in fridge 3-4 hours. Cut into 6 bars. Store in airtight container, separating each bar with parchment paper so they don't stick together.
Enjoy when you need an energy boost, or just a chewy & sweet sinLESS snack!
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Servings: 6
Nutrition Facts per bar:
Calories 168.5
Fat 9g (1g saturated fat)
Carbs 21.5g
Fiber 7g
Sugar 8g
Protein 5g
Sodium 88mg
Potassium 50mg
Iron 10% of daily recommended value
Calcium 6% of daily recommended value
Omega 3 fatty acids about 1,020mg
Omega 6 fatty acids
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