My name is Jeanine. I am 34 years old, and I had never eaten a date. Until recently. They are not an attractive dried fruit. I mean, not many dried fruits are as gorgeous as they are before being dehydrated. But dates, well, they look like dried out beetles to me. Yeah, try convincing yourself to eat that. 😛
Good thing is, because of this blog, I push myself to try new foods I normally wouldn’t try, and dates were one of the latest things that I experimented with. It ends up, I actually don’t mind them at all.
Another confession, I have never bought the expensive date/nut bars that are available in the stores. I just can’t justify $1-2 for one little bar. So, being the frugal celiac that I am, I decided to try to make my own. I gotta say, these Chocolate Cranberry Date Bars were really, really good. I actually need to buy more dates now, I know these will be fantastic to take along camping and hiking this summer as well, and I’m looking forward to it.
There are a ton of recipes for date/nut bars on the web, for a rainbow of flavours. They are totally versatile, and can be made using your favorite dried fruit, flavourings, spices, and nuts. Feel free to play with your food. 🙂
Chocolate Cranberry Date Bars
Instead of the expensive bars that you can buy, you can make your own date & nut bars at home. Not only do they cost a fraction of the cost, they taste fantastic too!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole dates, roughly chopped
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- pinch salt
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder (start with 1 tablespoon, if mixture is still sticky, add another tablespoon)
Carrie says
THOSE are adorable! I LOVE how you wrapped them and I had never tried a "real" date until a few years ago, so you are not alone!!
Rosanna says
My mom is a huge fan of dates – she has always tried to feed me that… well, stuff. I just hate the flavor!
Jeanine - The Baking Beauties says
@Carrie Phew! Glad to hear I'm not alone in trying something new. 😉
Jeanine - The Baking Beauties says
@Rosanna, Rosanna, you should try this recipe. TRUST ME! You won't taste the dates, you taste the cranberry (which comes across almost cherry tasting), and the chocolate. Mmm…
Carolyn-What Life Dishes Out says
I would never have bought the pricey store version until my friend brought some over for my son to try and then we were both hooked!!! Now, I fight my frugal nature and purchase them regularly, but ONLY the flavors I haven't figured out how to recreate myself at home. I like the Cinnamon Roll Larabar and the recipe for that one is on my blog…it tastes exactly the same! Now, I just have to recreate the Pure brand Chocolate Brownie Bar and I'll be all set! 🙂
Johnna says
I'm going to make these today, sounds delicious! I have to fly this week and these look like a great airplane snack.
Sarah says
These sound so good. I need to make these to have on hand for summer. YUMMY!
Sofia Reino says
Am so glad to have read this post. I was born in Tunisia, one of the most well known countries for dates. I had tried them quite a few times throughout my life and for whatever reason was unable to eat them. Then the other day I decided to make a Date nut bread and I FINALLY fell in love with the taste of dates. Now thanks to you I have yet another recipe to try!
SLColman says
I love the idea of making my own bars instead of paying the crazy prices at the stores for them! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Shyla says
Uuuummmm – yummy! I have GOT to try these.
lone says
Oh those I wll make tomorrow, got all the ingredients on hand, love dates, have you ever had dates wrapped with bacon and baked in the oven
Tab says
Is there any way to make this recipe without a food processor? Thanks!