Date Bars

Slight modifications to these Oat + Nut Chewy Granola Bars. They can turn out a little crumbly, probably more date helps. Expect to get your hands sticky squishing it all together.

• 1 3/4 c rolled oats
• 1 c well-chopped raw nuts (a mixture works well - almonds/walnuts/pecans)
• 12-15 medjool dates, pitted
• 3 T softened unrefined coconut oil
• 1 T nut butter
• 1 t vanilla
• 1/2 c finely shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/3 c finely chopped dark chocolate
• 1/4 c seeds (calls for hemp, usually do chia)
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t fine salt

1. Oven to 300F. Pulse oats in food processor to partially chop, leaving some whole. Toast for ~15mins until light golden and fragrant.
2. Pulse nuts to finely chop. Toast 10-15mins.
3. Oven to 350F and line a 9×9 pan with parchment.
4. Process dates to a thick paste. Expect >1/2 c paste. You can do extra and set some aside to add in if the mixture is too crumbly.
5. In a bowl, mash together dates, coconut oil, nut butter, and vanilla. Then add dry ingredients. Should be crumbly but hold together when squeezed.
6. Press into prepared pan, compacting as much as possible. Bake for 8mins then cool, chill, and chop into bars.

originally submitted by jes_p on Aug 09, 2021