Hi! I’m back from a short blogging hiatus, and while it’s always nice to step away from the laptop for awhile I have missed the blogging world. Part of my break was spent on a wonderful roadtrip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (I hope to share some pics soon!). While the UP was beau-ti-ful, the food situation was rough. We’re talking French fries most days and greens were nowhere to be found. I did pack lots of healthy(ish) snacks to help offset all the eating out. Larabars, SkinnyPop, and trailmix were lifesavers. I also brought some of these, what I call homemade Larabars, but they only lasted a few days since I had a hard time limiting myself to one a day…spoiler: they are gooood! 
I’ve been making energy bites for awhile now but I’m just now getting into bars. This recipe could also be used to make energy bites but it’s a little more labor intensive. My favorite part of these bars is the frosting! I’m not sure if frosting is the best word to describe the chocolate part…maybe glaze would be a better word, but I’m going with frosting. I was inspired by Christina from BeginWithNutrition to experiment with coconut oil frosting. Her No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites looked too good not to make and they were so easy, and then I fell in love with coconut oil frosting. I was always wary of it because I thought it would taste oily but that’s not the case. It just tastes fudgy and chocolaty.
The base of these bars is dates. I’m starting to think dates are magical… they make everything so sweet naturally and take on other flavors really nicely. The other main components are nuts and seeds. Any combination would work. I just used what I had in my pantry.
If your dates are dry, soak them in some hot water for 5-10 minutes. They’ll soften right up.
Everything goes in the food processor and pulse, pulse, pulse until the mixture starts to come together. Definitely try a nibble or two to make sure you like the flavor.
The mixture will be pretty sticky but if you get your hands wet a little it will be easy to smooth things flat. You can also use a spatula to get it super smooth.
Once it is smooth enough for your liking, make that chocolate frosting and pour on date mixture. (Singing Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” is optional but I recommend it. )
Now here is the lame part, there is some waiting involved – to not make a complete mess it’s best to pop in the fridge for a few hours so things can harden. But then cut into bars and enjoy! Super easy to cut with a pizza cutter if you have one.
These are best to keep chilled otherwise the chocolate frosting gets a bit sloppy. I’ve also been keeping them in the freezer with good luck.
Homemade Larabars with Chocolate Frosting
1 cup walnuts
1/4 shredded coconut
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup almonds
2 1/4 cup dried pitted dates (about 30-40 dates)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
Chocolate Frosting
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup cocoa or cacoa powder
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Pulse all the bar ingredients in a food processor until mixture starts to come together. Line a 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and press mixture until evenly spread and top is smooth. To make frosting, whisk ingredients until combined. Pour frosting on bars and place in fridge for 1-2 hours or until frosting is firm. Once firm, slice into bars and keep chilled.
Be Happy, Be Healthy!
Oh wow – These sound better than Larabars! Love that topping and couldn’t agree more – dates lend such a delightful sweetness and flavoring to whatever they are added to!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted…Strawberry and Blueberry “Cheese-like” Cake
Thanks Shashi! I hope you are able to try the recipe sometime.
This looks so delicious. I love anything with a little chocolate on top 😉
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen recently posted…Things I’ve Been Loving: August 2015
Me too Tara!
Okay, totally making these soon. I agree – dates are magical! I remember totally OD-ing on them in Palm Springs after buying like, 5 pounds from a date farm.
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together recently posted…French Salad with Parchment Baked Chicken and Mustard Vinaigrette
Oh, I love me some dates. A date farm sounds amazing!
Missed you, Amy! Welcome back!
Thanks Nora! Hope to see you soon!
Hi! Just found your blog clicking through recipes on Pinterest. Two things caught my eye – these bars, obviously, and that you had a road trip through the UP. I’m originally from the UP! Hope you enjoyed the beauty…it’s everywhere you look there!
Angela @ happy fit mama recently posted…High Five Friday
Angela, Pinterest is wonderful isn’t? I loved traveling through the UP. I hope to share some of my pics soon on here!
Amy,
We made these this morning and everyone liked them!
Thanks!
So glad to hear!