Replay Week: DIY Lara Bars

I am taking my summer blogging vacation, and sharing the top viewed posts on LivingCrunchy this week. First up, the overwhelming favorite, a guest post written by the lovely Sara of A Teaspoon and a Pinch.

I am so excited to have Sara from A Teaspoon and A Pinch guest-posting today. I am thrilled that she is sharing her recipes for homemade Lara Bars with us! Please take a minute to check out some of her other delicious REAL FOOD recipes on her website.

Hi there! I’m Sara from A Teaspoon and A Pinch! A few weeks back, Katie was sweet enough to guest post on my food blog, so I’m here returning the favor in kind. And I’m sooo excited to share this recipe with you.

Katie and I are both working to cut sugars, gluten, and processed foods from our diets. So, I find myself snacking a lot on Lara bars because they’re such a convenient way to meet those needs. But man alive, they are an expensive daily habit. So I set out to make my own. And they’re so easy! And with a basic recipe, it’s really fun to come up with new flavors! These are the flavors we loved best, and I keep our refrigerator stocked with at least a couple of them.

Homemade Lara Bars

heavily adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie

Instructions:

Soak the dried fruit in warm water for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, gather remaining ingredients and pour into a food processor. Drain the fruit and add to the food processor. Process for 30 – 60 seconds or until the mixture sticks together when pinched with your fingers. Pour into a loaf pan and press firmly into bars with a spatula. Chill for 10 minutes and then cut into 6 bars. Store refrigerated for up to two weeks.

 

 

Cherry Pie Bars

• 1 c. (160g) dried, unsweetened cherries
• 1/4 c. (40g) dried, unsweetened dates
• 1/3 c. warm water
• 1 c. (120g) almonds
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• dash salt

 

Sunshine Bars

• 1 c. (160g) dried, unsweetened pineapple
• 1/3 c. warm water
• 1 c. (120g) cashews
• 1/4 c. (20g) unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
• dash salt

 

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars

• 1 c. (160g) raisins
• 1/4 c. warm water
• 3/4 c. (60g) oatmeal (not quick-cook)
• 3/4 c. (90g) cashews
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• dash salt

 

Blueberry Muffin Bars

• 1 c. (160g) dried, unsweetened blueberries
• 1/4 c. (40g) dried, unsweetened dates
• 1/3 c. warm water
• 1/2 c. (40g) oatmeal (not quick-cook)
• 3/4 c. (90g) almonds
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• dash salt

 

 

Chocolate Craving Bars

• 1 c. (160g) dried, unsweetened dates
• 1/3 c. warm water
• 1 c. (120g) almonds
• 2 Tbsp. baking cocoa
• 1/4 c. (50g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• dash salt

Shared with Frugally Sustainable, Growing Home Blog, Time-Warp Wife, Life As Mom, A Bowl Full of Lemons, The Homestead Barn-Hop, The Greenbacks Gal, A Rural Journey, Organizing Home Life, The Green Phone Booth, My Favorite Finds, The Better Mom, Michelle’s Tasty Creations, Fit and Fabulous Fridays, and Women Living Well.