Dried Fruit & Nut Bars
Ingredients
1/3 c cashews
2/3 c pitted dates
¼ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions
- Chop all ingredients in a food processor or blender until well
combined into a paste. You could use a knife and chop everything by hand
if you didn’t have either tool. You’ll just need to chop a LOT.
- Once well mixed, place mixture onto a sheet of wax or parchment
paper. Use a spatula to guide it into a line, then roll the mixture
tightly, pressing down slightly to compact into a large bar. Careful it
doesn’t come out the ends of the wax paper though!
- Chill in refrigerator for about 30 minutes, and then cut into 5
bars or 10-12 bite-size squares. Store in refrigerator, in an airtight
container with the wax paper folded between layers of bars. Enjoy within
the week or freeze for later.
Notes
- IMPORTANT – measuring for this recipe is a little tough to
standardize! To test the consistency, press a bit of the processed mixture
between your fingers. It should be moist but not sticky, and definitely
not crumbly. The good thing is you can just adjust it! If too sticky, add
more nuts. If too crumbly, add more dried fruit. You’ll get the hang of
it!
- Try different flavor, or fruit and nut combinations! Leave out
the cocoa powder, or try a bar with almonds and dried cherries. You could
even experiment with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or mint for different
flavors.
