Healthy & Economical

One of my favorite snacks is a cherry pie Larabar.  I've seen the recipes for creating your own and often thought to myself, for the time and price of ingredients, I'll just continue to buy them.  During my spring break I decided to do a little research.  I bought all the ingredients to make a couple kinds of Larabars.  I totaled the amounts and tallied my time....  20 minutes, 60 cents per bar later & a thumbs up from EVERY member of my family AND my good friend Stacy... I am a convert to making your own!   I love these homemade treats that are packed with good things for you! My husband has affectionately termed them, "Gretchebars".

These little bits of deliciousness with keep in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 weeks and in your freezer for up to 3 months.  I wrap mine individually in saran wrap, but it's not required.  Another great thing about this recipe is how easy it is to take the ingredients and play with them to make them your own.  Substitute the dried fruit of your choosing, play with the nut to fruit ratio, add some favorite spices - nutmeg, ginger or cinnamon anyone??

Here's to your healthy snacking!

Homemade Larabars aka "Gretchebars"  

Ingredients:
Cherry Pie
Mild olive oil or cooking oil (for your pan)
1 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup pitted, soft whole dates (pack 'em in)
1 cup warm water (if you have very dry fruit, if not, this isn't necessary)
1 cup roasted almonds
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. sea salt

Apple Pie
Mild olive oil or cooking oil (for your pan)
1 cup dried apples
1/4 cup pitted, soft whole dates (pack 'em in)
1 cup warm water (if you have very dry fruit, if not, this isn't necessary)
1 cup raw walnuts
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. sea salt

Method:
1.)  Line an 8X8 pan with plastic wrap and gently rub a dab of oil over the surface of the plastic wrap.
2.)  Place fruit in a bowl and cover with warm water and let it soak for 5 minutes. (Skip this step if your dried fruit is soft and still retains a good deal of moisture).  Then drain your fruit & pat it dry.
3.)  Place your nuts in a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped.  Add in the fruit, spices and salt.  Pulse until the fruit is blended and the mixture begins to stick together.    It takes about 2 minutes.
4.)  Transfer the mixture to your pan.  Either with slightly oiled hands or parchment paper that has been slicked with a bit of oil, press down on mixture and flatten evenly into the pan.
5.)  Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.  Remove and cut into bars.
6.)  Wrap & place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks and freezer for up to 3 months.

click here for printable recipe