Peanut butter chocolate chip copycat Larabars are so easy to make. Made from just three healthy ingredients, you can make these vegan, gluten free bars at home in no time.
It’s officially 2018. How the heck did that happen?? I hope you had a fantastic New Years! Did you set any resolutions or goals for the new year? For the past couple of years I have not made a new year’s resolution. Probably because I feel like they never stick. Instead, I like to create goals I can actually stick to. Goals have action plans that can be accomplished.
This year my goals revolve around this tasty blog you’re on. Continuing to provide you with healthy sweet treats that you can feel good about eating. But not to worry, I still like to throw in those indulgent recipes from time to time. So if you have any new recipes you would like to see in the new year, let me know! I love to hear what kind of recipes you would like to see on the blog. Just comment at the end of this post. Whether it’s ingredients you would like to see more of, or more vegan, gluten free or dairy free recipes, I’d love to know.
That’s why with the new year we’re starting off with healthy, vegan and gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip copycat Larabars.
Larabars are a great healthy snack if you’re in need of something sweet, or need a little afternoon pick-me-up. Their ingredient list is short, and made with ingredients you can actually pronounce. Knowing the exact ingredients list means that you can actually make these bars at home.
Now I understand that it can be tempting to just pick up a box off the shelf. I mean, you know the ingredient list, so there’s no worry about what you’re putting in your body, right? Well yea, you might have gotten me there when it comes to these Larabars. BUT they’re so simple to make, why wouldn’t you? Plus, the cost difference is pretty significant.
At my local grocery store, a 5 count box of peanut butter chocolate chip Larabars is $6.49. That’s $1.30 a bar! My copycat Larabar makes 8 bars, and will only set you back about $5.20. That comes out to $0.65 a bar. I’m no math person, but I would say that’s a pretty big cost difference.
These particular peanut butter chocolate chip copycat Larabars contain only three ingredients: dates, peanuts and dark chocolate chips. To make the bars truly vegan, make sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips.
They require only one appliance: your food processor. Add the dates and peanuts and blend until the dates are broken up. They’ll seem pretty oily from both the dates and peanuts, but that’s okay. You can find dates in the dried fruit section of your grocery store. Just make sure you’ve chosen pitted dates {meaning the pit has been removed}. Otherwise you’ll spend a lot longer on this recipe than necessary.
Then just press the mixture into a lined loaf pan and press the chocolate chips into the top. Refrigerate to set and then slice. These copycat Larabars are a bit thinner than the bars you would buy from the store, but you can always press them into a smaller pan to make them thicker. Or double the recipe. You’ll still come out spending less than you would for the real bars.
So, if you made a resolution or goal to eat better in the new year, then these copycat Larabars will definitely be a great recipe to kick things off.
And if you’re serious about creating a healthier and happier lifestyle for yourself, then you should check out Piece of Mind Squad. I promise you’ll get closer to achieving your goal for the year with this membership experience.
- 2 cups pitted dates chopped
- ½ cup unsalted peanuts
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
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In the bowl of a food processor, add dates and peanuts and process until smooth.
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Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and press date mixture into pan. Press chocolate chips on top. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
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Cut into 8 bars. Individually wrap and store in an airtight container.
Note: The bars will seem a bit oily, but that’s okay.
Note: If you want the bars to be thicker, either double the ingredients, or press the mixture into a smaller pan.
