This copycat Larabar recipe is so easy to make with just three ingredients! This cherry pie flavor just uses dried dates, almonds and cherries.
I tried my first Larabar on a lark while shopping at REI. I quickly became obsessed with the Cherry Pie flavor and recently realized how easy they are to make at home!
Notes
Nutrition: I calculated these to be about 165 calories per bar.
1/2 cup pitted dates (small ones from Costco) = about 9 dates = ~180 calories
1/2 cup almonds = 320 calories
1/2 cup dried cherries = 160 calories
660 calories/4 = 165 calories. They’re small, but the flavor is intense.
Cherry Pie Larabars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/2 cup almonds I used roasted and salted but you can also use unsalted or raw almonds
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- In a food processor, grind the dates, cherries and almonds together until you achieve a uniform mixture. If the mixture seems too dry to easily stick together, add water a teaspoon at a time until the mixture starts to clump together. Err on the side of adding less water, because you can’t take it back!
- To make nice square bars, I squished the mixture into a rough square with my hands, wrapped it in wax paper, then used a cutting board to press the top flat. Cut into 4 squares and enjoy! Bars will last for about a week in the fridge.
Cherry Pie Larabars
Inspired by Rawified
Yield: 4 bars
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 – 1 tablespoon warm water
In a food processor, process the dates and almonds until finely ground (I used the “grind” button on my machine). Add the cherries and process until the mixture is in uniform chunks, about the size of…oh, I don’t know. Small gravel? If the mixture seems too dry to easily stick together, add warm water 1/4 tablespoon at a time until the mixture starts to clump together. Err on the side of adding less water, because you can’t take it back!
To make nice square bars, I squished the mixture into a rough square with my hands, wrapped it in wax paper, then used a cutting board to press the top flat. I used a random assortment of flat-edged items in my kitchen to press the sides flat.
neonstaples
Hello! These look great! However, I am allergic to almonds… any suggestions on what nut I could substitute to have it become the same texture and the closest flavor? Thanks a bunch!
erika
Hi there! For the closest flavor and texture, I might suggest walnuts. Cashews would also give a similar texture, but different flavor (I think cashews, dates and blueberries or chocolate chips or would be delicious!). You could also try pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts or pistachios and different mix ins (dried fruit, coconut, peanut butter, etc.) Hope that helps and thanks for stopping by!
neonstaples
Thank you so much =) I’m definitely going to try these out.
vic@cakebook
nice one – will be giving these a go – have been (bar the festive season) trying to eat more ‘clean’ myself and I feel great! definitely a step in the right direction although it does bring in to question our blogging existence!!
ps> laughed.out.loud when i read ‘1 week’ lol – but I get it – baby steps! 🙂
erika
VIC you understand me!!! I feel so much less bloated (ha!) after eating “clean” (umm…I don’t know if my version counts) for just a week. And it is totally making me question my blogging identity/existence. Also, I think I made it the one week. WOOHOO!!!!
Yesle @ D is for Dentist
I love the way you wrapped them. Also, um hello, dentist? Hahaha. I’ve been downing so much sweeteners since starting d-school. Unclear if that’s any better.
erika
Hahaha well at least sweetener is probably not as fattening as the stuff I’ve been eating. Omg. Holiday season was bad. I am a whale. Hope school is going well!!
MonkeyBreadandSweetPea
I agree – great photos!!
erika
Thank you 🙂
Skinny Muffin (@SkinnyMuffins)
These look so delicious! I LOVE Larabars. If you can not eat refined sugar for a week+ that’s amazing! I know I sure couldn’t. LOVE me some dark chocolate.
erika
Well, Skinny Muffin, I’m guessing you have much better self-control around refined sugar! (It would be hard to be worse than me!) But good news: I (sort of, mostly) made it!!! Also: what is your favorite larabar flavor? I want to make every kind, but can’t decide what kind to try next!!
Vespa Woolf
How clever! I love larabars and now I can make them at home! So healthy and great for quick energy. Thanks!
erika
You’re so welcome–glad you like the idea! I hope you get to try out all the different flavors Rawified mentions 🙂
jmcvl
Phew- so glad your pancake Fridays will still be around! Was getting worried reading down the post then.
Your photo work is incredible btw. Do you mind me asking what camera you use?
erika
Aww haha you are sweet 🙂 I was using a Nikon 1 for awhile (and I really want to buy my own!) but now I’m back to using my old Canon point and shoot! I don’t know if this is the exact one, but something akin to this…http://www.pcrichard.com/catalog/product.jsp?modelNo=A2300SILVER&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=GoogleBase&CID=Google_PLA&CAWELAID=1492210501&catargetid=1560495289&cagpspn=pla
Thank you so much for the compliment; I was just worrying that everyone would think my photo standards had gone down!!
jmcvl
absolutely not. you make me want to eat everything on your page!
Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen
These look so yummy, and I love how you wrapped them. What a cute gift!
erika
Thanks so much Kristi! If only I knew more health nuts…I want to try making every flavor and giving them to everyone I know! 🙂
Hannah @ Dispatches from the Gypsy Roller
These look fantastic – and wonderful presentation, as per usual! Love the parchment paper and twine bows 🙂
erika
Thanks so much Hannah 🙂 It was actually great that I wrapped them up for the photoshoot because I could just stick them in the fridge after…if I hadn’t taken pictures, I probably would have just thrown them in a container together in a giant lump lol
CranberryJamFB (@DangiraVS)
I wish I had pitted dates and almonds..dried cherries 😀 the only thing I have is water 😀 i would love these bars I am sure!
erika
Yes, I was a big fan. You should try them out when you have a chance!!
Choc Chip Uru
I’ve never even heard of larabars before so thank you for deliciously enlightening me 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
gottagetbaked
I never make resolutions but I have been wanting to cut down on my sugar intake for a loooooong time. As you can see from my blog, I’m obsessed with sweets. I crave something sweet after every meal and then I stress eat or snack from boredom between those meals (usually something full of carbs or sugar). Very very bad for my health! To wean me off the sweet stuff, I should start with these super simple bars. I can just imagine how tasty they are! And thanks for introducing me to Rawified. I need to incorporate some of her recipes into my diet.
Sally
i’ve been meaning to make a homemade larabar for weeks now. Now, I must try them – I have no excuse. and cherry pie is my favorite variety of them. these are so easy and much cheaper than buying, too.
christina @ smallkitchenchronicles
What a great idea! So easy and healthy! Who needs to go to the store now when you can whip these up? Thanks for sharing, Erika!
erika
My thoughts exactly 🙂 It pained me to shell out almost two dollars for that little bar! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
The Healthy Flavor
Yum! You know I’ve never had a Larabar! Now, I really don’t need to…I can just make yours!! I LOVE how simple they are. I agree on the less sugar…most of my recipes are refined sugar-free but I’m making them even more with really natural sugars like fruit, as well, lots of experimenting going on but so much fun. I’m also pretty much trying to make all my recipes going forward oil-free and so far has been sucess! I love it! I need to make these…I love dried cherries…mmmmmm!
erika
That’s funny, I’d been curious about Larabars for the longest time before I finally tried one! They really are super simple and delicious!
I know, I love your recipes!! I will definitely be trying more of them out as I embark on my healthy eating journey…
Also, I am obsessed with dried cherries. I would gladly welcome any recipes with dried cherries you come up with in the future! 🙂