Have you ever had a Lara Bar? They are one of the healthiest most natural bars out there, not to mention they are vegan, gluten free, AND raw. I was introduced to them several years ago during my field school for archaeology and was immediately hooked. They basically combine dates with nuts, spices, and fruit, depending on the flavor. No baking required, only a food processor.
I have been making a lot of things myself lately because for one, it tends to be a lot cheaper, and two, it is a lot healthier without the added preservatives and ingredients I can’t even pronounce. I decided to make my own Lara Bars simply for the fact that it is a lot cheaper than buying them. The last time I looked, it was $1.29 per bar. I found some great dried blueberries at Central Market, so I decided to make a blueberry pie version, but feel free to make any flavor you would like. Dried cherries, cranberries, and apricots would be escpecially yummy! Or, if you don’t want to add fruit, the dates and nuts taste great on their own!
Blueberry Pie “Lara” Bars
makes 3 or 4 bars, depending on how large you cut them
scant 1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup of raw pecans
splash of pure vanilla extract
pinch of cinnamon
1/4 cup dried bluberries, coarsely chopped
Put the dates, cinnamon, and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor and process until the dates are finely chopped. Remove them and place them in a medium-sized bowl. Next, add the pecans to the food processor and process until they are finely chopped. Put the pecan in the same bowl as the dates. Add the blueberries to the bowl and mix together with your hands until thouroughly combined. The mixture should hold together well. If it is too crumbly, add more finely chopped dates.
In a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap, smush the bar mixture down until it is the desired thickness you want it. Put the loaf pan in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This will help the mixture firm up so you can easily cut it. After the 10 minutes is up, remove the loaf pan and lift the bars out using the plastic wrap. Place on a cutting board or hard surface, and using a knife dipped in warm water, slice into bars. Depending on how big you want your bars, you should end up with 3 or 4. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap. If you are planning on eating the bars within a couple of days, they will be fine at room temperature. But, if you want them to last longer, place them in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
