Homemade Chocolate Larabars Recipe

Melissa King Recipes, Snack Bars

Homemade Chocolate Larabars.  Everyone seems to love energy bars.  They’re quick, easy and travel well.  Store bought brands can cost over $1.50 a piece, so I have set out to make some homemade versions.

First I came up with a Clif Bar recipe, then a KIND bar and now homemade chocolate brownie larabars.  This chocolate larabars recipe is just a first of several flavors to come.

 

Homemade Chocolate Larabars

 

These homemade larabars took only a few minutes to mix up.  I think the taste was pretty spot on.  I would store them in the fridge just to be sure they stay firm.

These should keep in the fridge for at least a week if not more.   You can also freeze them!

Homemade Chocolate Larabars

Homemade Chocolate Larabars

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Prep Time 15 min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In the food processor , mix the dates and water until a paste forms.
  2. Add in the cocoa powder and almonds and continue to pulse until a dough comes together.
  3. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment leaving enough room for some to stick out the sides. That way the bars will be easier to pull out. 
  4. Place in the fridge to firm up for a couple hours.

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63 thoughts to “Homemade Chocolate Larabars Recipe”

  1. These look really delicious, Melissa! I am going to try them as soon as the girls wake up (food processor is loud)! These are my Brownie Bites, also yummy! http://fresh-you.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-make-brownies-in-5-minutes-or.html Have a great day!
    Reply
  2. So my favorite are the peanut butter chocolate lara bars. Would you just add some peanut butter to these or do something different to make them? THANKS so much for the amazing recipes! You're helping me feed my family healthy meals & snacks! Keep up the great work!
    Reply
    1. I would add some natural PB and also some ground peanuts. You my have to up the dates and water a bit too. Just play around with the amounts. I would love to know how they work for you. Right now, I have some Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars in the fridge chilling. Look for those soon too. :)
      Reply
  3. I made these today, and they are delicious! Tastes like you are eating brownie batter. The only two problems I had were: 1) It was really difficult to spread in the pan. I have no idea how you got yours to look so nice! I greased my spatula and then also used my fingers, but it still doesn't look great. 2) They are gone so fast because they are so little. I think I would double the recipe and make them twice as thick next time. Do you get your dates in bulk? Any place online you can recommend? Thanks - Looking forward to trying out more of your larabar recipes!
    Reply
    1. I am glad you liked them! My in laws get me the dates from Sam's. They buy a huge box for only $8. You can try doubling the batch, but I am not sure I double batch could all fit in the food processor. My dough was very sticky as well. I just wet my spatula and pressed down hard. I also pressed it down with parchment paper. Try the coconut larabar next. That is my favorite so far. I also have a pecan pie recipe coming later this week. :)
      Reply
      1. Thanks! I will have to check BJ's here for the dates. I bet they have them. I already have a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough bars that are setting in the fridge because I had a lot of cashews on hand. That one turned out better and was easier to spread, etc. I can't wait to try the coconut cream because that is my favorite larabar to buy.
        Reply
  4. Just made these. In addition to the listed ingredients, I added coconut flakes and 1/8 tsp coconut oil. I am about to lick the bowl of my food processor clean... : )
    Reply
  5. I just made a batch of these today. They taste awesome! The ONLY problem I have is that the consistency was very hard to spread. They have been "firming" in the refrigerator for 4 + hours and they are still mushy. I cannot cut them. I followed the recipe but I don't know what could have gone wrong. But they still taste wonderful! I made the coconut creme larabars and the consistency was easier to work with. I wonder if adding cashews to the chocolate variety would make a difference? I like the idea that others have said on another post about making them into balls. They might work better that way.
    Reply
    1. Out of all the larabars I have made, these were the hardest to spread and the softest. I think if I make them again, I would add a bit more nuts and roll them into balls. That's what I had to do with the banana bread ones. I am glad you like the taste. :)
      Reply
  7. Pingback: Tried & True Recipe: Chocolate Larabars | Diary of a Day
  8. Pingback: The Best Larabar Recipes | Recipe of a Healthy Mom
  9. I am so happy that you came up with a healthy and nutritious bar for all to eat. Your recipes for food are on point. Keep them coming because you are a blessing. Have a wonderful day!
    Reply
  10. I just made these with half almonds and half peanuts (only because peanuts are cheaper) and they are so delicious that my husband and I are eating them right out of the food processor! It seems like I should feel guilty eating something so sweet and tasty. Thank you!
    Reply
  11. Just made these (they are still in the processor) and I like how you made yours into little bites. I also just made the banana bread recipe, and they are firming up in the fridge! I think with these, it will be easier the next time if I pulse the almonds a few times by themselves first, then take them out and do the dates and water, etc. The mixture is so thick, that I can only pulse a few times before I have to take the lid off and press it down again. These taste a lot like the Trader Joe's Brownie bar, too, and my daughter loves them. Thanks for putting your recipes out there...they are fantastic!!!!! :)
    Reply
      1. I also found that if you moisten your fingers before rolling, the mixture doesn't stick to your hands and you get a smoother roll...
        Reply
  12. These are amazing :) Love the natural sweetness to them. I did have a bit of trouble with the almonds being ground up after the dates. I will grind them up first next time! But all in all awesome snack! Thanks for making these :)
    Reply
  13. I made these the other day and they were delicious, but really soft, (Made them into balls and rolled in coconut!)so I kept them in the freezer and they were really good out of the freezer. My co-worker said it needed just one more component to the mix for sweetness (I however like it the way it is) I made another batch last night and I decided to add a little bit of honey.....perfection! I did not notice a huge difference in taste but they set up perfectly in the fridge!
    Reply
  15. Do you know how long the bars from your recipes stay fresh (edible)? I'm trying to find healthy alternatives for sending "snack" foods to my deployed sailor. Packages can take a month or longer to get to him and he is in a hot ship, in a hot area close to the equator. I've never made larabars probably because when I get medjool dates they get stuffed with a pecan or almond or walnut and don't last very long.
    Reply
    1. I'm not sure how fresh these would stay. I think the heat would turn them into mush. Maybe a granola bar would be better?
      Reply
    2. When I was personal cheffing, I asked this same question to the health board. They told me to "experiment" with the product in question. Leave it out of the refrigerator, expose it to extreme heat and cold etc., then observe what happens. Ultimately, if I intended to sell a product, I would have had to undergo a certified lab test, but the home experiment should give you a good idea of shelf life. Good luck :)
      Reply
    3. I keep mine in the refrigerator. They do get soft when left out and in extreme heat, I agree, they would likely turn to mush.
      Reply
  16. Pingback: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars | My Whole Food Life
  17. I just recently found your blog, and I am so excited to see all these healthy recipes. I just recently started eating healthier and have gotten a lot of inspiration from beyonddiet.com to eat "natural"...and your recipes fit perfectly with that plan. OK, I need to buy a food processor. Can you recommend a good one? I had one years ago, but got rid of it because it didn't work all that well. Thanks!
    Reply
  18. I just made these with ground raw organic pumpkin seeds instead of almonds and they were delicious! My kids didn't like them unfortunately, but they are a yummy treat!
    Reply
  19. Hi there! I made the coconut cream bars yesterday and they were a huge hit with the kids! I think we're hooked :) Could I substitute raw cacao powder for the cocoa?
    Reply
  20. Pingback: Homemade Chocolate Larabars | Chrissy Johnson

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