The Homemade Larabar
Ok, confession. Larabars are seriously a weakness for me. ILOVETHEMALOT. Whenever my local store has them on sale, I snatch ‘em up like it’s the apocalypse.
Things can get out of control.
One day I realized I just shouldn’t keep blowing our budget on these bars. Part of why I love them is because there are so few ingredients. But, guys…there are SO FEW INGREDIENTS! I knew I should totally give it a whirl and make them at home. But I didn’t have a food processor, and my blender just wasn’t cutting it (literally).
But then my awesome in-laws got me a food processor for Christmas two years ago, and I had everything I needed to go for it! Almonds, check. Dates, check. Food processor, check.
Ready.
Seriously, you could totally make date bars with just those things and they would be awesome, IMO.
(DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. I GET A SMALL KICKBACK, BUT YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED A PENNY EXTRA! IT’S A WIN-WIN, REALLY)
BUT, I do like to add some extra goodies and flavors, and these mocha date bars are my husband’s favorite variety. MY favorite is peppermint mocha date bars. They’re these bars with two-three drops of peppermint essential oil added to them. Easy peasy. You just got two recipes in one!
A note on my food processor
I have a basic Hamilton Beach one. It is a pretty cheap food processor as far as food processors go, but this thing has been a CHAMP for me. Hamilton Beach doesn’t even know I exist, let alone that I have a blog, so this is completely unsponsored! I am just saying I love it. I use it weekly, often daily, and it’s a beast. It grinds peanut butter, sweet potatoes (to hide in various recipes for added oomf), dices our salsa, and makes these mocha date bars on a regular basis. I definitely recommend it for a more affordable option if you’re looking to buy a food processor. Just to make these bars. I think it’s worth it.
That said, don’t double this recipe and expect things to go well. Mmmk? I tried that once. And I won’t do it again. It completely burned out the motor on my precious processor. Thankfully Hamilton Beach sent me a new one since it was within the first 30 days that I made that stupid choice {but I needed mooooooore of these baaaaaaaaaars}.
Ok, ready to learn how to make these?
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
- 2 cups sliced almonds (whole also works)
- ¼ tsp Himalayan salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 T ground coffee (or 2 tsp instant coffee if you want a smoother texture)
- optional chocolate chips for topping
- optional 2-3 drops edible, high quality peppermint essential oil, or 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
- After dates have soaked in warm water for 10 minutes, drain them well Tip: you can save the now sweet water to sweeten coffee or oatmeal
- In a food processor bowl fitted with an S blade, add all the ingredients
- Pulse in processor a few times until course
- Set food processor on low and process for about 30 seconds
- Finish by blitzing it on high for about another 30 seconds, or until the mixture forms a ball and has the texture you like! This is totally customizable to your taste. If you like bigger chunks, don’t over process it!
- With slightly wet hands, press date dough into a pan evenly. I use a 6 cup rectangular glass pan. I also like using a bread pan for this. (I don't have an issue with them sticking, but if you do find yours stick, try greasing the pan lightly and dusting it with cocoa powder)
- If desired, press in chocolate chips to the top. I usually do half with and half without since I don’t always want chocolate chips. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
- Cover and place in fridge for at least 30 minutes to harden and hold shape
- Enjoy!
Notes
I usually keep these in the fridge since they get a bit soft. But they’re totally fine to leave out –like when you need to bring some to the park or out shopping so you don’t buy bars you don’t need.
Here are links to my main “kitchen tools,” if you’re interested! These are my recommendations based on my own personal experience, just for those who want to know. But use what you’ve got and what you want. For reals.
These sound amazing, and now I need almonds!
How did they turn out for you?!
I left out the coffee and made them for my kids for snacks, and if they rate at which they were consumed is any indication, they LOVED them!
YAY! That makes me so happy!
Good call on the coffee haha 😉