Chocolate Chip Cashew Date Bars
These date bars are a delicious and easy homemade alternative to store-bought bars! Healthy date bars can cost a fortune at the store, but with just a few ingredients you can make your own and customize them how you'd like! These bars are a perfect snack, great for tucking into packed lunches, or for taking on hikes or picnics.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 31 min
- Yield
- 8 servings
- Difficulty
- EASY
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 cup salted roasted cashews
- 1 cup tightly packed pitted dates
- 3 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1
Cut each date into 2 or 3 pieces and put them in the food processor bowl.
- 2
Process the dates until a paste forms. Add 1 tablespoon of water, scrape down the sides of the food processor bowl, and process again.
- 3
Add the cashews and vanilla extract and process until the cashews are finely chopped and well mixed into the dates. The mixture will be loose, but don't worry as it will all get pressed together. You can also processor the mixture more to make the nuts finer, if desired.
- 4
Remove the food processor blade from the bowl and add the chocolate chips. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to mix.
- 5
Transfer the date-nut mixture to a parchment-lined loaf pan.
- 6
Using the back of a spoon, press the mixture into the pan, spreading it into the corners and making sure that you are pressing hard enough to really compact the mixture.
- 7
Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on top of the mixture and refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting.