Date Bars

Gluten-free, Soy-free

One of our family’s favorite go-to quick snacks on busy days is a breakfast bar. These are made of simple ingredients and take only five minutes to whip up. They are great to have on hand and are a perfect snack for the whole family.

Date Bars embody the harmonious blend of simplicity and nourishment. Crafted from a handful of wholesome ingredients, these bars are a testament to the natural power of dates—an ancient fruit that has stood the test of time as a nutrient-dense source of energy and sweetness. More than just a snack, Date Bars offer a delightful journey through flavors, textures, and the goodness of nature.

At the core of Date Bars are the stars of the show: pitted dates. These chewy, caramel-like fruits provide a natural sweetness that’s both indulgent and healthful. Combined with unsalted raw whole cashews, the bars achieve a satisfying balance between creamy and crunchy, giving your taste buds a dance of textures with every bite.

Creating Date Bars is a straightforward process. The recipe requires minimal ingredients, yet it yields bars that are rich in taste and nourishing qualities. Medjool or Deglet Noor dates, soaked to perfection, form the base. Their natural sweetness eliminates the need for added sugars while infusing the bars with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Blended with unsweetened natural cocoa powder, the mixture takes on a subtle chocolate essence that marries beautifully with the cashews.

The process involves a quick whirl in a high-speed blender or food processor. Dates, cashews, cocoa powder, and a touch of pure vanilla extract come together to form a cohesive dough. If needed, a splash of water can be added to aid in the blending process. For those who crave extra indulgence, vegan mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts can be stirred into the mixture, offering delightful surprises in every bar.

After pressing the dough into a loaf pan and allowing it to chill, the result is a batch of delectable Date Bars. These bars encapsulate the inherent goodness of natural ingredients, making them a perfect guilt-free snack or an energizing pick-me-up during busy days. They’re an embodiment of simplicity, reminding us that a few quality ingredients can lead to satisfying flavors and sustained energy.

Whether enjoyed as a midday snack, a pre-workout boost, or a sweet treat to curb cravings, Date Bars encapsulate the art of mindful nourishment. With every bite, they whisper a story of health-conscious choices and the delightful pleasure of whole foods. These bars honor nature’s bounty and offer a delightful reminder that even in our modern lives, the simplest ingredients can create moments of joy and wellness.

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

COOK TIME: none

CHILL TIME: 1 to 2 hours

YIELD: 8 bars

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ cups (219 g) unsalted raw whole cashews
• 1½ cups (240 g) pitted dates (about 15 Medjool or about 33 Deglet Noor), soaked if necessary
• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp (30 g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder (spooned and leveled or weighed)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Add-ins of choice, such as vegan mini chocolate chips or nuts

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Line a 9 x 5–inch (23 x 13–cm) loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the cashews, dates, cocoa powder, and vanilla.
3. Process the mixture until a dough forms, scraping the sides as necessary.
4. If the dough isn’t forming easily, you can add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to help the mixture mix properly.
5. If desired, stir in mini chocolate chips, nuts, or other add-ins to customize the bars to your liking.
6. Press the dough firmly into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
7. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, allowing it to firm up.
8. Once chilled, remove the mixture from the pan using the parchment paper as handles.
9. Slice the mixture into eight bars.
10. Your homemade energy bars are now ready to enjoy as a delicious and nutritious snack!

TIP:

• If your dates are not very fresh and have hardened, soak them before using. Place the dates in a small bowl and cover with warm water. Soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then drain, rinse and pat dry.