Blend a handful of plant-based ingredients into a delicious plant-based on-the-go treat!
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword Date Bars, Plant Based Bars, Plant Based Snack, Snack Bars
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Freeze 30 minutesminutes
Servings 15bars
Calories 168kcal
Equipment
1 Food Processor
Ingredients
2cupspitted dates
2cupsraw nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews)
1/4cupcacao powder (or cocoa powder)
pinchsalt
Instructions
In a small bowl, soak dates with warm water for 10 minutes. Drain and lay out to dry on a clean towel.
Add nuts, cacao and salt to food processor and blend until finely chopped, about 10-20 seconds. Avoid over-blending into a paste.
Drain water from date and add dates to food processor. Process into a thick dough. You will have to stop and scrape down the sides 2-3 times. Process until fully combined and no large chunks remain.
Line a 9 inch square cake pan with parchment paper, scrape dough into pan and use your hands to spread dough evenly throughout the pan. Getting your hands wet will keep them from sticking.
To create smooth and even bars, lay another sheet of parchment paper on the top of the dough and firmly roll a smooth drinking glass over the dough until all dough is flat and even.
Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Remove from freezer, cut into bars with a sharp knife and place in a sealed storage container.
Notes
These can be rolled into balls or any other shape. The instructions above make nicely formed bars but, if you're in a hurry or not picky about presentation, simply form with a cookie dough scoop and allow to firm in the freezer. Bars will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature, 3 weeks in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer (if in airtight storage). We prefer eating these right out of the freezer!