d.i.y.: cherry pie larabars

More “lunchtime” confessions today………

As hard as it is for me to have a proper lunch at home (see here and here for my typical “go-to’s”), it’s virtually impossible when I’m out and about. I will often just throw some cashews and dried cranberries in a Ziploc (with maybe a piece of cheese), but pack a sandwich? Not happening.

Which is why I’m such a fan of Larabars – particularly the “Cherry Pie” variety. With just 3 ingredients – dates, cherries and almonds – they qualify (for me anyway) as “real” food, and have a decent amount of protein to boot. They are filling enough to keep me going, and I love the convenience – just toss a few bars in my bag and I’m off.

Larabars were a natural for my “D.I.Y.” series, so I set about searching on-line for some recipes – and was shocked to see how many people have made their own! This was great as I had lots of different recipes and techniques to choose from.

I settled on the recipe below, as it looked closest to the bars I like – I tweaked it a little and they came out great! I would imagine that you could do any number of riffs on this, to suit your preferences. Let me know if you try them  – especially if you make your own variation! And I’m curious – do you have a filling, not-too-junky snack that you like to have on-hand? Please share; I’d be most appreciative!

larabars

larabars

larabars

larabars

 

SHOP THE POST!

Larabars
adapted from Foodie With Family

2 cups raw whole almonds
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dark chocolate (from a 3-4 ounce bar; can use chips if preferred)*
3 cups whole, pitted dates
1 cup dried, unsweetened cherries
2 tablespoons almond butter, divided (have you made your own?)

Line a 9 x 13 straight-sided pan with a piece of parchment paper, so that the paper hangs over the long sides.

Place the almonds in your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the chocolate and pulse again until finely chopped. Pour mixture into a large bowl; set aside.

Place half of the fruit in the food processor and process until a paste forms and clumps together. Add 1 tablespoon of the nut butter and 1/2 of the almond/chocolate mixture; process until evenly combined. Scrape into the prepared pan.

Repeat with the remaining fruit, nut butter and almond/chocolate mixture. Scrape into the prepared pan.

With slightly wet hands, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Fold the excess parchment over the bars to cover, and use something flat and heavy to press down firmly on the mixture until it is smooth (I used a small cutting board). Chill for at least two hours. Using the parchment paper as a guide, transfer the bars to a cutting board. Cut into desired shapes (I cut mine into 30 small-ish rectangular bars). Store, covered, in the refrigerator.

*I know, I know, I don’t like chocolate, right? But I “kind of ” like dark chocolate, especially when it’s chilled, and it seemed to work well with the recipe. Just go with it.

(print this recipe)


This delicious recipe brought to you by Sheri Silver
https://sherisilver.com/2012/10/08/d-i-y-larabars/

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33 Comments

  1. Leslie on October 8, 2012 at 9:36 am

    What a great idea. They look delicious and I love your packaging and your pictures as always.

    • sherisilver on October 8, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Thanks Leslie (as always….) – super easy too! xo

  2. Jennifer Cullen on October 8, 2012 at 11:10 am

    I love Larabars. And your recipe makes them seem so easy to make. I’m going to attempt to make them this week. I’m sure they won’t turn out as pretty as yours though!

    • sherisilver on October 8, 2012 at 5:47 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! xo

  3. Drew on October 8, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    The Cherry Pie variety is my favorite too. I love the idea of adding dark chocolate to the mix. Thanks for the inspiration, Sheri!

    I’ve been making and enjoying the granola bars from Alana Chernila’s Homemade Pantry cookbook (see Car Snacks #1). It has rolled oats, puffed millet, toasted almonds, dried fruit, and the sweetener is brown rice syrup, so I figure that it’s on the healthy side of the snack divide. And they’ve been a lifesaver when we’ve been out and the 2-year-old is feeling peckish.

    I’m looking forward though to trying something new.

    • sherisilver on October 8, 2012 at 5:47 pm

      Okay, I need to get this book – it sounds awesome! 🙂

  4. anabela pereira on October 8, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Delicious :))

    • sherisilver on October 8, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      Yes! And easy too – promise!

  5. Aubergine on October 8, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    This is such a fabulous idea!! I’m especially happy to see this recipe because although I LOVE larabars, I’m boycotting them because they are owned by General Mills which just donated a LOT of money to try to defeat the GMO-labeling initiative in California, Hurray for knowing how to make these so I no longer have to give money to a company that is trying to deny people the right to know whether or not they are eating genetically modified foods.

    • sherisilver on October 8, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      Wow – I had no idea! Is there a link to more information about this? Oh – and your blog is seriously gorgeous – so happy to have found you!

  6. Jill V. on October 8, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    yum, just yum once again

    • sherisilver on October 9, 2012 at 6:43 am

      Thanks my friend! xo

  7. Sandra on October 9, 2012 at 10:14 am

    These look lovely! I’m always looking for ideas for food on the run too…

    • sherisilver on October 9, 2012 at 7:31 pm

      Thanks Sandra!

  8. Marti on October 9, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Great idea!! Can use for Holiday gifts too
    Marti

    • sherisilver on October 9, 2012 at 7:31 pm

      Thank you! Holiday gifts – yes!!!

  9. Elizabeth on October 30, 2012 at 12:31 am

    Hi Sheri! I just had to tell you that I made these this last week and I omitted the dried cherries and chocolate and added 1 cup of dried apricots. They were amazing! Thanks again for the great recipe! I can’t wait to create more. 🙂

    • sherisilver on October 30, 2012 at 1:44 pm

      Yay! I’m so glad to hear that. Your version sounds delicious! 🙂

  10. andrew k on November 3, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    Made these last night but used dried cranberries and walnuts instead of cherries and almonds, as that’s what I had on hand. They are great! Thanks so much for the recipe.

    • sherisilver on November 3, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      Oh! So glad (that actually sounds delicious!)

  11. Trisha B on January 5, 2013 at 8:53 am

    I have made these several times, and they are soooo good! Great recipe and easy to make. I even made them for a friend at Christmas by request!

    • sherisilver on January 5, 2013 at 5:28 pm

      That’s great – thank you!

  12. Paul Wintergerst on February 3, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    do you still make these regularly?

    • sherisilver on February 3, 2016 at 8:29 pm

      I actually JUST made them – I’m pretty much gluten and dairy free from morning till dinner and these (plus the recipes I made from my balls, bites and bars series) are always on-hand!

      • Paul Wintergerst on February 3, 2016 at 8:38 pm

        Cool, we were using home made protein bars for a while in our meal plan at phatburn and our clients loved em. Let me know if you ever feel like experimenting with your home made bars to sell at our studios. People love that stuff (as do I)

  13. Desiree D on March 7, 2019 at 11:10 pm

    Any other way than a food processor to do this? I want to start making thus but need to Che k if there a another way without one?

    • sherisilver on March 8, 2019 at 9:10 am

      It would be hard, I think, as the ingredients really need to be well broken down in order for them to come together and form a bar. I suppose if you chopped everything VERY finely and mixed thoroughly that would work (and be quite a workout!); let me know if you do!

  14. Callum on March 17, 2020 at 10:11 pm

    What did you use to wrap the bars at the end? Parchment paper?

    Thanks!

    • sherisilver on March 17, 2020 at 10:30 pm

      Yes! But waxed paper would work well too! 🙂

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Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!