These homemade Larabars with chocolate and cranberries make a great energizing snack for hikes or after sports! Paleo and Whole30 compliant, and super quick and easy to make!
I feel like we spend a FORTUNE on bars in this household.
No I don’t just feel it, I know it! My middle child could sustain herself entirely on bars of almost any form. Around here, some of our favorites are KIND Bars
and LARA Bars
. But at $1.20-1.79 a pop, that is pretty pricey!!!
So when I came upon a recipe to create our own protein dense bars, I just HAD to try it. I knew it would save me money, but unless it was delicious, who cares?!
Well, not only are these a ‘knock out of the ball park’ fabulous, they are easy to make too!
Why should I make my own homemade Larabars?
I think two things really set these apart and take them WAY above and beyond store bough Larabars: the toasted nuts and the dark chocolate flavor!!
These are also much more moist than the original too.
I wrap individual portions in waxed paper and store them in the freezer for a grab and go snack…not that they ever last long.
My girls thought they were brownies….really!
They do hint at dark chocolaty brownie goodness, so if you’re like my girls, you’ll think you’re having a dessert!
Personalizing homemade Larabars:
This recipe is practically begging for tweaks and personalizing:
- change out the dried fruit mixed in at the end
- change the nuts
- add in chocolate chips
- mix in chopped and toasted seeds or nuts
- cocoa nibs are amazing!
If you like these no-bake power snacks, here are some others to try too!
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- Collagen Cookie Dough Fat Bombs
- No Peanut Butter Larabars – Paleo
- These keto protein bars are a family favorite!
- these no bake protein bars are really delicious too!
-
Homemade Larabars Recipe:
If you try these quick and energizing snacks, be sure to come back and leave a comment!
Chocolate Cranberry Larabars
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups pecans lightly toasted (300 degree oven, spread out on a cookie sheet, for about 10-15 minutes, you'll will smell them, toasty and wonderful. Careful not to burn them, it can happen quickly!)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder unsweetened & high quality...makes a big difference in the taste here, I love Dagoba
- 15-20 large Medjool dates pitted, or about 8-9 oz. NOTE: don't use other date varieties...these are the Cadillacs of the date world, much softer and more caramel flavors than other varieties.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract optional
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Blend toasted pecans, sea salt, and cacao powder in a food processor (I ADORE mine, it has been a trusty companion in my kitchen for ages!!) until powdery and coarsely ground. Do not process so long that you have nut butter!
- Add in dates and process until blended into dry ingredients, this might take a minute!
- Pulse in the vanilla until well combined.
- Add dried cranberries, pulsing a few times to mix (you could also do this by hand, but I am lazy!)
- Press mixture into an 8x8 inch dish. Freeze or refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm, and then cut into 16 squares.
Nutrition
THESE ARE AMAZING! I made these as a snack for a backpacking trip I just went on and brought extras to share and my friends could not stop raving about them. They are seriously the best thing we have put in our mouths in a long time. Thank you! I plan on using this as my base recipe for many more bars to come!
These are CRAZY addictive, they make an awesome backpacking and hiking food! So glad you love them Christie!
What a brilliant idea for an after school snack too. Can so see my children enjoying this chocolate treat minus the artificial sugar treats.
oooh, these sound so yummy and I love the caramel goodness of medjool dates too!
These are my very favorite!!! Dangerously good! Even better that the originals . I still love the apple pie, and the cashew cookie Larabar, but these ones don’t even compare to them.
they ARE dangerous and WAY to easy to eat too many, I agree!
Just wondering: do these need to be kept refrigerated? Would love to take them backpacking with me!
Hi Scooter! You can take these backpacking by packing them in a container and eating with a spin. If you tried for me bars and traveling with those, they might get too soft. Another way to make them more portable is to roll them into balls then cut them in something dry so they do not stick together. Some options would be cocoa powder, finely grated coconut, or tapioca starch. That is by no means an endless list! You can use your imagination 🙂 I would take these back packing with me for sure
I made these today and they are AWESOME!!! Thanks for another winning recipe 🙂
-Cassidy
You’re welcome Cassidy!! This is a long standing favorite in our household…and infinitely tastier than LARA Bars, which we enjoy too!
I am so happy to make these- what a great-looking protein bar! Thanks for sharing this at Seasonal Celebration Sunday! Rebecca x
Fudgy date goodness! Sign me up.Thanks for sharing it with us at Whole Food Wednesdays. http://www.beyondthepeel.net/2012/06/mostimportanttoremember.html
I love larabars! I make mine with sunflower seeds- I want to try this chocolate cranberry variety with sunflower seeds as the base!
Yum! Thanks for sharing with GAPS Friendly Friday! A reminder for all you GAPSters – remember to choose the honey, not the agave nectar, and skip the chocolate chips 😉
Delicious chocolate bares, thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop. Your recipe will be shout out at tomorrow’s Hearth and Soul blog hop at Zesty South Indian Kitchen
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your recipe is on Today’s Feature Post from Cast Party Wednesday! Thank You for sharing your recipe with us!
http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=30684
—Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain—
Tessa, these look fantastic and just the thing I’ve been looking to try. Thanks so much for linking up at Thriving on Thursdays!
Anne xx
Oh my goodness Tessa, these snack bars are just amazing! Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
wonderful! thanks for sharing with Kids in the Kitchen! pinned and tweeted!
These sound *amazing*!
Thanks Steph, hope you get to try them…I make lots of converts with these babies!!
Tessa, I truly have to stop visiting your site until AFTER I’ve eaten something!! I’m drooling over this recipe! The cranberries and chocolate grabbed my attention, and then the addition of coconut would be perfect for us. Thanks for sharing!
LOL Mary!! Quite a compliment, I am glad things looks so tasty to you!! It just means you love food as much as I do, and probably most food bloggers out there!
Tessa, thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe this week!
I’m not a big fan of the commercial “bars” but I do occasionally make my own. Will have to try this recipe. Looks good.
Pinned! Looks great, thanks!
Thanks for sharing this recipe at Make-ahead monday! Hope to see you again next week!
http://naturalparentingunnaturalworld.blogspot.com/
I am a fan of Lara bars because they don't have peanuts, sunflower seeds, rice, or soy (4 of my allergies/ sensitivities, and it's very hard to find a bar without at least one of these!) but don't usually buy them because of the price. I am so excited to try these!! Can't wait.
yum, yum and double yum! i have to admit i was skeptical b/c I'm not a fan of Lara bars but these are awesome and way cheaper than store bought version!
OK, maybe not, but I am NOT a stickler for looks when it comes to food and I always like minimizing the dishes, I HATE doing dishes! Let me know how they turn out, I had several adults try it and they were wowed!
I have a problem with only one thing….I KNOW you are not lazy!!! I am excited to try this Tessa….thanks!