Thursday 27 September 2012

Lara Bars




Without going into detail, the end of September is a sad time for my family. Personally, it makes me think of the past and how things might have been.

When I came across something called Lara Bars online, I just knew I had to share them and at this time especially. This will not make sense to most people, but the two are related.

Anyhoo, Lara Bars I have discovered, are healthier sweet treats! Cakeyboi finally goes healthy I hear you cry. Well, personally I believe that everything is okay in moderation and what I usually make are more ‘sometimes’ treats rather than daily pleasures. But the Lara Bars can be made without fat or sugar or gluten, depending on what you put in them. So they are suitable for different types of dietary requirements, or are just nice if you want a sweet treat without much guilt.

The main component of Lara Bars is dates – now don’t click away!! I don’t like dates on their own, but you don’t taste dates in the Lara Bars. And the idea is that you add ingredients that you do like, such as nuts, other dried fruits etc. Stick with me honestly.



I decided to try making two varieties of Lara Bars – Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Coconut Lime flavours. The former does have a modest amount of dark chocolate so not too bad!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lara Bars

Ingredients:
175 grams pitted dates
125 grams low fat peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
50 grams of dark chocolate chips

Method:
Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blitz until everything is combined and has formed a sort of ‘dough’. Remove this from the processor and place onto a lightly greased baking pan or other container – I used an old plastic food storage box. Press down firmly on the ‘dough’ and shape into a square or rectangle. Place in the fridge for a couple of hours to set. 



Remove from the fridge,take the Lara Bar block from it’s receptacle – and place on a cutting board. With a sharp knife cut into squares, oblongs, triangles – whatever takes your fancy! The Lara Bars are ready to enjoy. These ones tasted just like squidgy, gooey Peanut Butter and Chocolate bars which I love!

Coconut Lime Lara Bars

Ingredients:
260 grams pitted dates
90 grams dessicated coconut
150 grams whole hazelnuts
Zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon lime juice

Method:
Same as above, except I blitzed the nuts first to give them a head start, then added all the other ingredients and whizzed it up until a ball formed. Place this in a lightly greased receptacle and press firmly into shape. Fridge them for a couple of hours and then chop into bars when ready to eat. These are very fragrant with the fresh lime and have the buttery coconut undertones to compliment this.



Lara Bars are a great find and I will be thinking up other varieties to try over time. I do hope you try these, even if you don’t like dates. They are delicious!

Loved Adored Remembered Always

5 comments:

  1. We all love this, Lana and all the family xxx

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  2. I think we all have those 'times of year' and we cope with them how we can.

    Love your bars...although I skipped over the bit about them being healthy!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks CC - I am trying to think up new varieties! Possibilities are endless!

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  3. I've not heard of these before but they sound great - I'm definately going to make these.

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