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Homemade Larabars and Laralollipops!

Author: Pamela

Ingredients

  • CHOCOLATE:
  • 1 ¼ cup dried unsweetened dates (about 14), pitted
  • 1 ¼ cup whole raw almonds cashews or pecans
  • 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
  • ¼ cup semi-sweet MINI chocolate chips or shredded unsweetened coconut optional
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • OATMEAL RAISIN:
  • 1 cup unsulphured raisins or dried cherries for an oatmeal cherry bar
  • ¾ cup rolled oats not quick cooking or instant
  • ¾ cup raw cashews or pecans
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • The easy way to do this is to place all of the ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a food processor and process until the mixture comes together in a tight ball (about 2 ½ minutes). Everything will be really finely processed. See the lollipop images for what that looks like. Or if you want a little more texture from the nuts, process the nuts and dates separately and mix them in a bowl with the remaining ingredients. See the other images for examples of that.
  • The chocolate chips can be added at the end and mixed in with your hands.
  • Lay a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and transfer the ball to the plastic wrap and press down to start to flatten into a rectangle. Fold the excess plastic over the top and use your hands to shape and flatten the mixture until it is about ½” thick, about 9” across and 3” down. Or make whatever shape you want!
  • Refrigerate for a couple hours until firm and slice as desired. Keep wrapped in the refrigerator. Or transfer unwrapped bars to a tightly sealed container.

Notes

You can also do a Peanut Butter Cookie Larabar:  1 ¼ cups pitted dates + 1 cup roasted, salted     peanuts. Sometimes I add 2 Tablespoons of Maca powder and a pinch of salt with or without a few mini chocolate chips.