In my last post, I mentioned that I started a new diet and exercise program which requires eating 6 or times a day. This can get overwhelming and expensive unless you start the week with meal and snack prep. On Easter Sunday, I was supposed to go to my sister’s house for a mini-egg hunt and family BBQ. I woke up with a terrible sore throat and a possible ear infection so I stayed home.
Of course, I couldn’t sit around doing nothing all day, so I cleaned the apartment, finished laundry and decided to try out some new recipes I’ve been hoarding in Evernote. I love Larabar’s, except they can become an expensive habit. Last year, I made some cashew cookie balls and had my friends at work try them out and they liked them! However, since I’m not feeling great, I didn’t want to make the balls. I decided to make bars so it requires less handling. The original recipe was from Fit Foodie Finds and I link to her recipe below. I like the taste of apricots and coconut so my version has a few extra ingredients. You can easily make this with 30 pitted medjool dates and a cup and half of cashews, chocolate chips are optional…sorta like happiness is optional.
This batch didn’t have chocolate chips because I was out of them at the time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/4 cup dried apricots
- 1/2 cup shredded organic coconut
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Put the dates and dried apricots in your food processor or blender and process for about 2 minutes.
- Add the cashews, coconut and water, then process for another 2 minutes or until the mixture pulls together.
- Spread the mixture on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet and cut into about 2 oz portions the size of a Larabar.
- Divide into snack bags or wrap with plastic wrap.
Notes
*For funsies, use silicon cupcake molds (pics coming soon) to make bite-size portions. If you have a food scale, weigh 1 oz portions then smash them into the silicon cupcake mold with a spoon.
Turn the mold over onto a plate, then sprinkle with shredded coconut. You can put 2 of these into snack bags to keep in your desk drawer for when you get hungry at work.
Inspiration recipe:
Copycat Cashew Cookie Larabars
What are your thoughts?