I have been so excited to make these since getting dates earlier this week. ALl that was left to do was to find the time to get in the kitchen and pick up a few more ingredients. At full disclosure – all the things I picked up at the store to make these were not cheap. The ingredients will last for multiple batches of bars or for whatever else you care to make. I promised not to be a pricey cooker and at check out I got a little uncomfortable – ingredients were about $20 at the store, this doesn’t include the dates.
To start off I needed to unpack my food processor. This was a Christmas present from my Dad that has been keeping cozy in my closet. The food processor and I didn’t get off to a great start, our relationship has gone a little like this. 1) Christmas Day – OMG THANK YOU DAD!!! 2) Return home 12/30, food processor goes into the closet 3) 1/26 rolls around and I take the food processor out of the closet, out of the cardboard and all other protective material when the pusher thing for the top that you use to slice stuff and keep everything in falls onto the ground, and chips 4) The bars are finished and delicious 5) I clean up and slice my finger on the blade. Food Processor 1 – Megan 1. We will see who comes out victorious next time.
This was my first attempt at making any type of bar so I started by chopping some dried figs and dates and seeing what happened when I turned the food processor on.
I was pretty discouraged at first, I was expecting this magical bar like shape and texture to show it’s self and that was not the case.
I continued adding things and writing down exact measurements in hopes that it would come together.
Everything tasted delicious so I pressed it out, crossed my fingers, and put the pan in the refrigerator.
Deciding that since I had everything out I might as well go for a second round. Mangos were on sale so I grabbed two and decided it was their turn to make an appearance in the food processor.
Again, I was expecting a bar to form and it never did. Everything tasted delicious though.
After adding a little more magic the mixture started to look promising and I showed a lot of self restraint to not just eat it as is.
To mix things up, this batch made its way to the fridge in some cupcake liners, I had a sneaking suspicion that they would not let me cut them up into bars if I tried to press them flat.
Seeing as this was my first stab at making bars I kept the batches small so as not to waste ingredients. I am pleased to announce that both batches came out delicious!
Figgy Date Sunny Bars
½ cup pitted dates (~10)
½ cup turkish figs (~4)
½ cup raw cashews
1/8 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
2 tsp sunflower seed butter
2 tsp melted coconut oil
¼ tsp coarse sea salt (feel free to omit)
Quarter the dates and figs, mix in the food processor until broken into small pieces, ideally they get a little sticky together. Add cashews, coconut flakes, and salt (if using). In a small bowl melt coconut oil and mix with the sunflower seed butter. Drizzle in while running the food processor. Process until everything sticks together. You will most likely need to scrape down the sides. Press out in a pan lined with parchment paper and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Makes about 6 bars.
Mango Almond Date Bars
½ cup dates (~10)
3 turkish figs
½ rounded cup sliced fresh mango
½ cup raw cashews
1 tbsp almond flour
¼ tsp coarse sea salt
Quarter the dates and figs, mix in the food processor until broken into small pieces, again ideally getting a little sticky. Add in the remaining ingredients and whirl together until everything sticks to the sides. This mixture will be a bit wet. Scoop into eight cupcake liners and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Makes 8 circle bars.
***UPDATE – These mango bars never really harden. They taste awesome but if you are looking for an on the go snack this may not be it. I would suggest adding some more dried fruit or almond flour to make these harder.
Morning Send Off
As this post goes live I will be gearing up for an 11 mile run in the lovely mid 20s “heat”. Pray for my finger and toes. ALSO if you haven’t heard – this is my blogaversary weekend. Check out everything that has happened in the last year for yours truly! Part I & Part II.
Q: Have you ever made date based bars? Share your recipe!
Q: What work out do you have on the agenda for today?
*Bonus- Want more bar recipes? Check out these from Luv What You Do.
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Wow, I love that you made your own bars. I would never even think to do that! But then again, I rarely cook. Everything looks like it came out great! Yum!
Give it a go!! The ones with sunbutter are just out of this world!
Thank you for the shout out! I am def making some bars this weekend. I love that you added mango…so good! One thing that I learned from my successes and failures was if you end up with the thick nut chunks, add some more dried fruit AND when push comes to shove…agave, honey, or oil will help things come together. Now that your food processor is out, you should try making some hummus (oh wait…is that Paleo?) or soups!
The mango ones are super yummy but not bars, that recipe will need to be tweaked. The other ones are disappearing at an alarming speed!
Yumm these look delicious! I really need a food processor so I can make things like this!