Healthy Snack Recipes:
Chocolate Bars

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I have a confession: My family is addicted to LaraBars.

We don't just buy them by the box... we buy 2 or 3 boxes at once.

When you live a healthy, whole food, gluten-free, dairy free life in this processed world, convenience foods are few and far between.

Can I get an "Amen!"?

Come to think of it, our convenience foods to-go are pretty much limited to apples, bananas, and LaraBars. Oh, and these baby food pouches that my kids call "smoothies."

So, I am always on the lookout for homemade versions of those delightful little bars. Up until now, however, I haven't been too interested in all the saran wrap gooey mess I had seen going on in homemade LaraBar-like recipes. So I resigned myself to splurging on my little addiction, uh, I mean, indulgence.

But I was re-inspired when my godson could no longer eat nuts. And I'm pretty sure his family is addicted to LaraBars, too.

So there I was, wanting my own homemade protein bar recipe, and thinking that somewhere there must be a protein bar recipe that is both nut-free and easy!??!

And from that inspiration and a little creativity, these yummy chocolate bars were born. They are oh-so easy to make. My children love them, and I'm hoping my dear godson will love them, too.

This recipe is:

• Raw
• Vegan
• Vegetarian
• Whole Foods
  

And it is:

• nut-free
• gluten-free
• dairy-free
• soy-free
• egg-free
• corn-free

Ingredients

1/2c unsalted sunflower seeds

1/3c unsweetened coconut

1/4c goji berries, or other dried fruit (like raisins, cranberries, or cherries)

1/4c coconut oil *see note below

1/4c cocoa powder

12 dates, pitted

dash sea salt

1-2 Tbsp agave or honey (optional, to taste)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Process until well-combined, wet and crumbly. Press into a parchment-lined bread pan. Refrigerate or freeze until firm. Cut into approximately 8-10 bars.

*Note: The more liquid sweetener you use, the more "melty" the bar will be. You could also try substituting nut butter for some, or all of the coconut oil to give it a higher melting temperature... assuming you are not accommodating a nut allergy, of course.

PS- This recipe was adapted from a nut-containing version on a delightfull Real Food site called Beyond the Peel.

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