Cherry Date Bars?

[sugaree]

I recently saw a recipe somewhere on the internet for Cherry Date Bars. I had it open in my browser for awhile (I know I know I should have at least book marked it) and then my browser crashed so I lost all open pages. Now I can't figure out where I saw it - does anyone remember seeing one recently? They looked like they would be the perfect snack to take on hikes. Thanks.

[Joanie B]

Sugaree, you mean something like Lara Bars? If so, this might be what you saw at Enlightened Cooking Blog:
http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/home-made-lara-bars-energy-bars-part-3.html

Costco had Laras early summer, and I fell in love with the cherry pie bars. Went in search of a home recipe and found the Enlightened Cooking version. Haven't drug out the food processor to try it yet. Hope this is what you were looking for!

Very Cherry Bars (use as a template for almost any combination) (there are other combos in the article)

LARA BARS use a multi-layer package that keeps out UV light and oxygen, which, in turn, maintains freshness without the use of preservatives. I use plain old plastic wrap and my refrigerator, then pop one in my bag when I’m ready to go.

1/4 cup chopped dates (roughly chopped whole dates, not pre-chopped)
1/4 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
1/3 cup whole pecans, almonds or walnuts
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Set out two pieces of plastic wrap for shaping and wrapping the bars. Do this first; you’ll have sticky fingers when you need it.

Place the dates and cherries in a food processor. Pulse until processed to a paste (photo 1). Transfer paste to a medium bowl (don’t clean processor).

Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until finely chopped (photo 2). Add the nuts, along with the cinnamon, to the bowl with the fruit paste (photo 3). Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste (just keep squishing, it’s fun; brings back memories of play-dough; see photo 4).
.
Divide mixture in half. Place each half on each of one of the sheets of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around each bar and start squishing into a bar shape form, 3 and 1/2 inches long, 1 inch wide and 3/4-inch thick); press against countertop to flatten bottom side, flattening top side and ends with flat of hand (photo 5) Tightly wrap the plastic around each bar and store in the refrigerator. Makes 2 bars.
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Nutrition per Serving (1 bar): Calories 207; Fat 9.4 g (sat .8g, mono 5.2g, poly 3.1g); Protein 3.9g; Cholesterol 0mg; Carbohydrate 24.9g; Sodium 0.4mg. (Note: I did the nutrition analysis using Diet Analysis Plus 7.0.1)

[Ali]

Cherry Bars (use as a template for almost any combination)

LARA BARS use a multi-layer package that keeps out UV light and oxygen, which, in turn, maintains freshness without the use of preservatives. I use plain old plastic wrap and my refrigerator, then pop one in my bag when I’m ready to go.

1/4 cup chopped dates (roughly chopped whole dates, not pre-chopped)
1/4 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
1/3 cup whole pecans, almonds or walnuts
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Set out two pieces of plastic wrap for shaping and wrapping the bars. Do this first; you’ll have sticky fingers when you need it.

Place the dates and cherries in a food processor. Pulse until processed to a paste (photo 1). Transfer paste to a medium bowl (don’t clean processor).

Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until finely chopped (photo 2). Add the nuts, along with the cinnamon, to the bowl with the fruit paste (photo 3). Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste (just keep squishing, it’s fun; brings back memories of play-dough; see photo 4).
.
Divide mixture in half. Place each half on each of one of the sheets of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic around each bar and start squishing into a bar shape form, 3 and 1/2 inches long, 1 inch wide and 3/4-inch thick); press against countertop to flatten bottom side, flattening top side and ends with flat of hand (photo 5) Tightly wrap the plastic around each bar and store in the refrigerator. Makes 2 bars.
.
Nutrition per Serving (1 bar): Calories 207; Fat 9.4 g (sat .8g, mono 5.2g, poly 3.1g); Protein 3.9g; Cholesterol 0mg; Carbohydrate 24.9g; Sodium 0.4mg. (Note: I did the nutrition analysis using Diet Analysis Plus 7.0.1)

A Few Ideas for Variations:

Apricot-Almond: Use 6 tablespoons coarsely chopped dried apricots and 2 tablespoons date (to measure 1/2 cup total); use almonds for the nuts.

Tropical: Use tropical fruit bits (these come pre-packaged at the supermarket); use raw cashews for the nuts. Add 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest, and 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice to the mix.

PB & J (cheap and delicious!): Use 1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries and 1/4 cup raisins or dates; use raw or roasted peanuts (lightly salted or unsalted) for the nuts.

Blueberry Bliss: Use 1/4 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup dates; use almonds for the nuts. Add 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, and a drop of almond extract to the mix.

Cashew Cookie Dough: Reverse the proportions of fruit to nuts--Use 1/3 cup dates for the fruit and 1/2 cup raw cashews for the nuts.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Same as cashew cookie dough, but add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of cinnamon and 1/2 ounce very finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate to the mix.

Pistachio Heaven: Same as cashew cookie dough, but use raw pistachios and add a tiny drop of almond extract.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: Same as cashew cookie dough but use raw or roasted (lightly salted) peanuts for the nuts.

[sugaree]

That doesn't look like what I remember, but it sure looks like it will do very nicely. Thanks to both of you. Have either of you tried them?

[Ali]

Yes I have tried a few of the variations. They are so flexible. I tended to use equal parts of fruit to nuts. There are so many variations out there. I also made one with cocoa powder. All very tasty, and easy to make.

[sugaree]

Sugaree, you mean something like Lara Bars? If so, this might be what you saw at Enlightened Cooking Blog:
http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/02/home-made-lara-bars-energy-bars-part-3.html


I really like that blog! Thanks for introducing me to it. As a computer simpleton, I can't figure out how I can subscribe to it. I would love to get an email when she posts to it. Any clues?

Ali, cocoa powder in a bar would make me very happy. Not sure I could keep them just for snacking, though. Did you use cocoa powder in place of the cinnamon, or just add it in?

[Joanie B]

No review here, sorry. Been meaning to try these for a month or more now, just too darn lazy. Sounds like Ali gives them a sticky-thumbs up, tho!

I don't know how to subscribe to Camilla's blog or get notices of updates. I just check it every week or so. She hadn't updated in months. Looks like she may have been working on her new cake cookbook, which just came out, according to a new entry. I've put that puppy on my Amazon wishlist!

[Ali]

Espresso Power Bars
1 ½ cups pecans, lightly toasted
¼ cup cacao powder
2 teaspoons organic decaf espresso, finely ground
10 large medjool dates, pits removed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
10 drops stevia-I left out
1 tablespoon agave nectar-I left out

Blend pecans, cacao and espresso in food processor until finely ground
Add pitted dates and process until blended into dry ingredients
Process in vanilla, stevia and agave until well combined
Press mixture into an 8x8 inch pyrex dish, add a little water if your batter is crumbly when handling
Freeze for 2 hours, then cut into squares




Chocolate Cranberry Power Barsprinter friendly


2 ¼ cups pecans, lightly toasted
¼ cup cacao powder
15 large medjool dates, pits removed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
10 drops stevia-I left out
2 tablespoons agave nectar-I left out
½ cup dried cranberries (you can add more if you like)
Blend pecans and cacao powder in food processor until combined and coarsely ground
Add in dates and process until blended into dry ingredients
Process in vanilla, stevia and agave until well combined
Stir (or work in) dried cranberries with a spoon or by hand
Press mixture into an 8x8 inch pyrex dish
Freeze for 1 hour, or until firm, then cut into 16 squares

[golden1225]

I make what I call "Lara Balls" that are basically the same thing. I buy big bags of raw almonds from Costco, as well as bags of dried dates, apricots, prunes and dried cranberries. I pour some almonds into my food processor and grind them up well, then add a handful of dates and whatever other fruit I want. Sometimes I add ground ginger (or even chopped up candied ginger), ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, or unsweetened cocoa. I mix all together until it comes together in a ball, then I make little balls and put them in the fridge. Occasionally I roll them in unsweetened cocoa powder.
What a wonderful treat to have a couple with a mug of hot tea! I also take a few with me when I go to the gym; they're a great source of protein after a workout! :D:D