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Cocoa Banana Nut Snack Bar
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Cocoa, bananas, dates, and walnuts are blended together then slowly baked for a healthy snack alternative. Perfect for the times when you need a little something and you are on the run. These snack bars are made with all-natural ingredients, without processed flours and refined sugars. The original recipe uses cashews so if you prefer, feel free to substitute the walnut with your favorite nuts. They are gluten free, dairy free, and vegan. This recipe is slightly adapted form Donna Hay's cookbook, "Life In Balance" Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Servings: 12 bars
Author: Ginger
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup 35 g natural unsweetened cocoa
  • 3/4 cup 180 g firmly packed chopped pitted fresh dates (9-10 dates)
  • 1/4 cup 60 ml vegetable oil
  • 1 1/4 cup 200 g chopped walnuts
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cup 200 g mashed bananas (2-3 bananas)
  • coconut flakes for sprinkling
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven for 325°F (160°C). Line an 8 x 8 inch pan (20 cm x 20 cm) pan with parchment paper. Use two strips wide enough to cover the bottom of the pan and long enough to extend up and over the sides of the pan. One strip will crisscross the other, so all the sides of the pan are covered. This is so you can easily lift out the snack bars and cut them.
  2. Place all the ingredients, expect the coconut flakes, in a food processor and blend until smooth.
  3. Plop the cocoa, fruit and nut mixture into the parchment lined pan, then spread evenly across the bottom.
  4. Sprinkle with the coconut flakes.
  5. Bake for 40 minutes, or until firm to touch. Set the timer for 35 minutes to check and gauge the progress. Continue baking as needed.
  6. Cool completely in the pan. Remove the cocoa banana nut snack bar out of the pan by lifting the sides of the parchment paper and placing it on a cutting board. Make one slice across the middle, then six even slices across each half making 12 snack bars. Store the snack bars in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Will last for to one week.