Peanut Butter Chocolate Fruit and Nut Bars

What is one of the best ways to save money on food?

Make it from scratch!   There are a few things that aren’t worth the time and trouble, unless you really enjoy the process.  I don’t really think I could make bread cheaper than I can buy it at Costco, especially with the invention of the freezer.

But these puppies…you’re paying for a lot more than the food.  Most of the time, when you buy packaged foods from the store, you are also paying for the brand name, the exclusivity, and the convenience.  These are ridiculously easy to make, and you probably already have a few of these ingredients at home.

I do have to point out that if you are going to buy a packaged good from the store instead of making it yourself, these are the goods to buy.  Lara Bars don’t add any chemicals or preservatives to their products to make them last longer on the shelf, and I LOVE THAT.  Costco is probably the best place to buy them, if you do prefer to go that route.

Peanut Butter Chocolate “Lara Bars”

Time: about 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups dates

1 cup peanuts

2 tablespoons peanut butter

4 oz dark chocolate, chopped

1.  Add the dates to a food processor and pulse until well chopped.

2.  Add the peanuts and pulse until well chopped.

3.  Add the peanut butter and pulse until well mixed.

4.  Add the mixture to a bowl and add the chopped chocolate.  Mix until well incorporated.

5.  Turn mixture onto a baking with parchment paper.

6.  Form into bars and chill.  Make sure to pack the mixture tightly, and that the bars are not too thin.  Otherwise, they will fall apart.

Serving size: 1 bar, 328 calories, 15.4g fat, 45.5g carbohydrates, 7.9g protein

 What’s your favorite snack bar?  Let us know in the comments!

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crystal sykes

Crystal is the founder of Simply Playful Fare. She has been in the kitchen for as long as she can remember. She has a degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing.