Homemade Larabars
"LÄRABARS are delicious gluten-free bars made up of unsweetened fruits, nuts, and spices. Each indulgent flavor contains no more than nine ingredients - minimally processed, and as close to their natural state as possible"...which makes them nice and easy to replicate for a fraction of the cost.
These bars are full of healthy fats (nuts, seeds) and natural sugar (fruit, coconut) so they make excellent energy snack bars in the morning or as a pre-workout snack.
*As fat is a slow-burning energy is best to consume fat-filled foods in the AM so that your body is able to maintain energy throughout the day and burn off those calories; if you eat them later in the day, your body may not use up the energy and it will be stored (lips to hips...). As fructose (natural sugar in fruit) is a quick-release energy, it needs to be 'used' aka 'burnt off' soon after consumption otherwise it will be stored.
So always make sure to consume in moderation (1 bar or ball a day) to keep this "health bar" healthy :)
This is the Coconut Cream version, but there are a dozen amazing Larabar versions that also only make 6 bars, so try a few!
Coconut Cream Larabar
1 cup pitted dates
1 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup shredded coconut or coconut flakes
1/8 tsp sea salt (optional)
*makes 6 bars or 12 balls
1. Cover the dates with warm water to soak and soften for 5 - 10 minutes
2. Meanwhile, blitz the cashews in a blender until fine crumbs (but not too much as to make a paste)
3. Add coconut flakes and drained dates and blend until mixture combines and comes off the wall of the blender
4. Use a piece of parchment/wax paper to press mixture into a 9x5 loaf pan (or roll into 12 balls) that is lined with cling wrap and greased with coconut oil. Press down until evenly distributed and flat.
5. Leave the parchment on top of the bar to seal in moisture and place in the fridge for 30 minutes (or 10 in the freezer).
6. Pull from freezer to slice into 6 slices, then wrap individually and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks (or place individually wrapped bars/balls into a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months).
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