Homemade Sugarless Energy Bars

[red langford]

I have really enjoyed Larabars over the past few seasons but at $3 each it gets somewhat expensive. So after some research and trial and error I have figured out how to make my own. Fully customizable, high fibre, packed with protein and high calories.

1 cup Dried Dates
1 cup Dried Fruit like raisins or cherries or cranberries
1 cup Whole, raw, unsalted Nuts like Almonds, Peanuts or Walnuts
2 Tbsp Unsweetened Peanut Butter
2 TBSP Ground Flax Seed

Soak the dried fruit and dates in warm water
Put the nuts in the food processor and pulse to chop. You want them chopped fairly small but not into a paste.
Remove the nuts from the Food processor and but into a bowl
Drain the fruit and put into food processor and process until it forms a paste.
*Transfer to mixing bowl, add peanut butter and combine.
Press into a lightly oiled pan and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Remove from fridge and cut into bars. Wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. Should keep unrefrigerated for some time on a trip.


*At this point is when you can tweet the flavour. Some things I have tried:
1 TBSP Cocoa Powder
1 TBSP Cocoa Powder + 1 TSP instant coffee
Coconut
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Maple Syrup

I struggled with the methodology and getting it to mix right, but the quick pre-soak in warm water and mixing the ingredients in bowl rather than trying to run it all through the food processor worked the best.

I would like to try dried apple sauce as a secondary fruit, cinnamon and some oats.

If you try it, let me know how it turns out or what sort of variations you come up with.

 

[Grandpa Paddler]

When I read your topic title, I got excited - I'm diabetic. The recipe sounds great. Sadly, I can't use it. Dried fruits are naturally high in sugar. Thanx for the thought anyway.

 

[sweeper]

Sounds great Red, what's the +/- on the soak time?

 

[Odyssey]

I really like the sound of these, thanks very much Red. Bars can be too sweet and sticky for me, so these might be just right. There's lots of room for experimenting; cocoa and instant coffee sounds interesting. Fruit, nuts and oatmeal etc. might make a nice breakfast bar.
Thanks Red.

 

[red langford]

Sounds great Red, what's the +/- on the soak time?

10-20 minutes.

And as was pointed out, they do have sugar, just natural sugars and not added sugars. Sorry to the diabetics in the room.

 

[Grandpa Paddler]

Sorry to the diabetics in the room.

You are forgiven my son. And no 'hail Marys' required. Any ideas about low sugar/carb goodies? When trippin' I still need to watch but not as strictly as at home on the couch. On the river, I can actually reduce my insulin by +/-20 units a day.

 

[red langford]

Pemmican. Ground/pulverized dried meat, peanut butter, nuts, raisins. You can tweak that recipe to make it more or less sugary to suit your needs.

 

[Iskweo]

dried meat, peanut butter, and raisins?? Sounds like the menu at the Muskwa cafe. If that doesnt bring in the bears I dont know what will...lol