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I’m sort of in love with the movie 17 Again. I may have discussed this before in a previous post, but forreals. I loooooove that movie. I also can’t stop watching Sleepless in Seattle or little clips from Glee. I like to live vicariously through all the characters.
Pretty sure I was an actress in a previous life. And a really good singer. I sing along/lipsync to all sorts of songs. #copacabana4ever My 4 year old daughter is the exact same way too! Mwahahaha. I have taught her my ways.
In this life, I’m a good mom and food blogger. Did I mention I know how to make magical things with dates? Dates on their own make me want to kind of hurl. –>truth. Dates incognito with chocolate and peanuts? LARABARS. Who woulda thunk it?
I like certain kinds of lara bars because I’m picky. The peanut butter chocolate chip kind is probably my favorite. Did I mention it’s only 4 ingredients? And a really yummy snack? Well it is. When I eat them though, I need to remind myself to forget that there are dates in them. That doesn’t make sense but it prevents me from loosing my cookies.
Seriously. Dates make me want to hurl. Odds are they make you want to hurl too. But never fear!! Homemade Lara Bars will make you a believer! And make you ‘regular’ at the same time…if ya know what I mean 😉
Here’s how you make them:
Start by pulsing your peanuts in the bowl of a food processor until they’re pretty finely ground.Next, crack out a whole lotta dates. I used three packages of these sunsweet dates. This brand is great for this recipe because they are so soft and pitted. Throw those dates into the food processor with the peanutsalong with some chocolate chips and sea salt.Pulse the mixture until all the ingredients are together in one large mass. The dates should be unrecognizable and there should be itty bitty chocolate and peanut pieces throughout all the ‘dough’. Press the mixture into a lined 9×9 baking dish and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove using the plastic wrap and cut into 10 even bars. The freezing helps the bars cut nicely.Wrap each bar up individually and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.I throw all mine into a freezer bag and keep them in my fridge for up to 2 weeks–except they never seem to last that long 🙂
Give these a whirl! 4 ingredients, nothing too crazy or strange and they’re healthy! Love that. Enjoy, friends!
Homemade Larabars
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts
- 24 oz pitted dates I use the sunmaid brand
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Place peanuts into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to chop into fine pieces without turning into a paste. Add in dates, chocolate chips and salt. Continue pulsing until one large mass comes together in the bowl. Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper or plastic wrap and press date mixture evenly into the dish. Dip your fingers into water to prevent sticking. Place into freezer for 30 minutes.
- Remove completely from pan using excess plastic wrap as help and cut into 10 even pieces. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
These are SO good!
Thank you for the recipe!
I know this is a really old post, but I come back to it every time I want to make these and always leave wanting to watch 17 again (….again). ❤❤
Hey Lauren! This recipe seems foolproof but I’ve made it twice and both times it came out like paste. What am I doing wrong??
What kind of dates are you using? Also, are you over processing the mixture? You just want to pulse it until it comes together!
[…] From Lauren’s Latest […]
Can you make these without the chocolate? Just thought that would make them more healthy.
yes!
Any idea on the calories per bar???
[…] I also really enjoy her chocolate chip (protein-packed) blondies. I also have copycat recipes for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Key Lime […]
Looks yummy.must try
So easy and so good! That’s my kind of snack !
Hates dates too. Hate. Loathe.
But will try this recipe only bc you share my hatred for dates.
[…] Sweet It Is Honey Chocolate Chunk Cookies by The Pastry Affair Loaded Hummus by Yummy Mummy Kitchen Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabars by Lauren’s Latest Curried Butternut Squash Broccoli Cheddar Goat Cheese Soup by Half Baked […]
oo lara bars, but soo much cheaper and yummier
[…] See on www.laurenslatest.com […]
I made these today and they are awesome! I like dates by themselves, so this was a no brainer for me! I don’t have a food processor, however I do have a hand blender with a chopper grinder attachment and it was able to get the job done in smaller batches. I would suggest using a food processor because it will get it done a lot easier (and your end product will be smoother) but mine were still tasty!
I LOVE larabars. When I make my own, I like the combo of dates, almonds, cocoa powder, and coconut. For some reason I haven’t made the peanut butter chocolate chip ones, but it is next on my list!
These bars sound great!
Love, love, love, the sound of these!!
I was totally thinking about making my own Lara bars yesterday while at the store buying some. Love this!
Ohh my goodness, I just tried one of the actual Larabar’s from the store and I think I’m officially hooked! Thank goodness I found your blog! I’m leaving for college soon, so I’ll be a broke college students, which means I’ll have to get use to making my own KIND and Larabars–What food processor do you use? I’m freaked out to get one because it can be quite the investment. I’ll have to try this recipe once I get a food processor! 🙂
I have a Cuisinart and I love it!! They last forever 🙂
So brilliant! These look delicious and perfect for a wholesome snack, Lauren! Love it.
I have always LOVED dates!
Looks good. Do you think raisins would work in place of dates?
I’ve never tried it! If they are soft and sticky enough, then I don’t see why it wouldn’t work!
WOW ! Bars looks delicious…. Easy to prepare and healthy tooo.
I JUST made your easy chewy granola bars yesterday and they were AMAZING! I can’t wait to try these–I always have dates on hand!
Those look great! Adding to my grocery list! Total agree that dates on their own = icky! Lol
Oh wow these look good! Dates always make me squirm (and prunes too) but this recipe looks great
Yum! I am pinning this. I make my own version of the cashew cookie Larabars at home, but I roll them into little balls. Larabar is the greatest, but the addiction can add up unless you make your own!
The Grass Skirt
I love how healthy these are!! Yummy!
Im so happy to see this recipe! I have this thing with dates. My husband loves them so from time to time the owner of this local produce market will hand over an 11 pound box. Yes, 11 pounds! He’s a super nice guy :). I’m always looking for ways to use them. Can’t wait to try this one!
How easy and perfect for quick and healthy summer eats!
These bars look so good for lunchboxes and sound delicious!
These looks yummy. I agree with you that dates look gross. The whole pitted ones have always reminded me or cockroaches. The chopped ones not so much. All that aside, I have a recipe for date bars that is so addicting and date bars are also a fond memory from my childhood. Those date bars were from a mix, but I LOVED them. I will definitely try these, and just not tell anyone what the main ingredient is in them.
Hey Lauren, Love your site. Could you do half dates and half apricots? Just for more flavor since they both are dry fruit? I just made these today and added dry coconut to them. Can’t wait to get them out of the freezer!!
I don’t see why not! Experiment and let me know how it goes 🙂