No-Bake Maple Date Bars

If you’re someone who hits the vending machine for a sweet after-lunch treat, I have a healthier solution that will also save you $$$.

Throw together a batch of these no-bake bars which are a healthier alternative to most of the granola bars out there. 

This does contain a little sweetener, but it’s much less than you’ll find in store-bought or vending machine bars, especially after it’s spread across 16 servings. Most of the “sweet” comes from the dates.

Dates have been called “nature’s candy” because they are so sweet.

One of the most popular kinds of dates – medjool – was considered the “king” of dates in Morocco because they were reserved for royalty, due to the fact they cost so much to grow and harvest.

But nowadays you can get them in most major grocery stores. They live up to the hype!

You might think of dates as a dried fruit but…

They’re NOT! They are actually considered a fresh fruit. 

They’re also loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatories. 

Plus, they have the highest antioxidant count of ALL similar fruits (like figs & dried plums).

Those antioxidants may help prevent some chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.

They’re also one of the best natural sweeteners and can be used in recipes to replace regular sugar.

That being said, they are loaded with natural sugars… so that means a little goes a long way!

(makes 16 bars)

• Cooking spray
• 1 cup (160 g) pitted dates
• 1 cup (120 g) raw cashews (or other tree nuts like walnuts or pecans)
• ¼ cup (84 g) maple syrup (or honey)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 Tbsp dried cranberries, raisins, or dried tart cherries

Line an 8x8 (20cmx20cm) baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

Place the dates, nuts, syrup, and cinnamon in a food processor and process until the mixture becomes a paste-like dough. Scoop out into a medium bowl. Gently stir in the cranberries. 

Scrape the mixture out into the prepared baking dish and using your clean hands, spread the mixture out and gently press it down until it forms a firm, even layer. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour until it sets. 

Slice into 16 bars. These will keep in the fridge in a resealable container for a week.  

These bars can be sticky, so be sure to separate the layers with parchment paper! 
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Make sure you only have one at a time :-)