Raw Chocolate Lara Bars Recipe

[Guest guest]

Here's another recipe I use. The medjool dates I find is optional and simply use date paste or vice versa. Adding spices makes gives the bar a variety of flavors.Enjoy!

Homemade Chocolate Lärabars

- 50 grams (1 3/4 ounces) date paste,

diced (see note)

- 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) mixed nuts (I used a mix that includes Brazil nuts, pistachios, cashews, almonds,

and hazelnuts)

- the seeds from 2 green cardamom

pods

- 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) Medjool dates (about 4), pitted (if these are unavailable, substitute regular dried

dates, or use all date paste)

- 3 tablespoons unsweetened raw cacao powder

- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- a good pinch salt

- 1 rounded tablespoon cacao nibs

(not chocolate covered)

Makes 5 or 6 bars.

In the bowl of a sturdy blender or food processor, combine the diced date

paste, nuts, and cardamom, and process in short pulses until the nuts are

chopped to small bits (but not powdered) and blended with the paste. Add the

rest of the ingredients and process in short pulses until the mixture comes

together.

Grease the bottom and sides of a small rectangular container (I use this

small, 18 x 12.5 cm / 7-by-5-inch baking

dish, but you could also use a recycled takeout container of these

approximate dimensions) with vegetable oil. Turn the date mixture out into the

container, cover with a piece of parchment paper or recycled food wrapper (this

is to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hand and spoon) and pack the

mixture down using your hand and then the back of the spoon, in order to fill

the container in a smooth, even layer.

Transfer to the fridge to set for a few hours or preferably overnight, then

slice into five or six bars, or the number of servings you prefer. They will

keep in the refrigerator, covered, for about a week. Use the same piece of

parchment paper to wrap the bar you want to take with you, then save and reuse

it to wrap the other bars on subsequent days. You could also consider buying

one of those über-cute reusable snack

bags.

Note: Date paste can be found at natural foods stores, or in North African

or Middle Eastern shops. If the paste seems dry and hard, cut it into slices

and soak for an hour in a little cold water to soften, turning every now and

then. Drain well before using (save the date water to use in smoothies, breads,

or sorbets).