September 16, 2013

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hazelnut Larabars

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I don't like raisins. 

Just to clarify, I don't like them, but I don't hate them. I'll eat them occasionally in breads and cookies but not by themselves. Give me almonds or chocolate chips any day. But not raisins.  I've never liked them, ever since I was a kid. And although I'll joke it's because of raisin cookies when I thought they were chocolate chip, I don't think that was it. 

I need to start a raisin free diet. There's so many other "_____ free" diets, surely that would fit right in.  Hmm ...

(Some of my friends are canceling their subscriptions right now)

Taste, texture, flavor, I don't know, I just don't like them.  I'm sorry!  I also don't like beef jerky. Or flat, crispy cookies. With raisins in them. I feel like I'm going in a circle ... 

Moving on. 


I've been needing a good pick me up and (this is terribly ironic) raisins are supposed to be great for that.  I've made this with both dates and raisins and I like the dates better, but they're more expensive and we didn't have any when I made these.  So these have raisins. And they're good.  (How did that taste coming out of my mouth?  *like raisins*  Sorry, I couldn't resist)  Most Larabar recipes call for more than nuts than fruit, but I like the softer texture I get from having more fruit, although they don't travel as well. So, if you're in the mood, up the hazelnuts and the Larabars will be stiffer and easier to hold.  The cocoa powder, peanut butter, and hazelnuts disguise the raisin flavor and it tastes like chocolate Larabars. There is texture from the oats and nuttiness from the peanut butter and the hazelnuts. A flavor and texture combo that even a raisin free person like me will enjoy. 
 
 

Anyway, back to needing a pick me up. I've been sick this week and yesterday, I decided I was going to do nothing but lay around and stalk Pinterest.  After a week of classes, football games, all day volleyball matches, running, and lots of driving, it was nice to just sit the whole day (I did get piano and lab reports in, though, the whole day was not completely wasted ... after several hours on Pinterest:)  It did my head and stomach a world of good. Hopefully, I'm all rested and set, because the week is here and nothing is slowing down any time soon. 
 

Right now, my favorite pick me up is a warm muffin or slice of sweet bread with a cup of tea or coffee.  But these work pretty well, too:)  What's your favorite pick me up? 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hazelnut Larabars 
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 4 bars

1 cup raisins
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon water 
1 tablespoon honey 
1/4 cup oats, 
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1/3 cup hazelnuts 
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (opt)

Cover raisins with water and let soak for 10-15 minutes. Drain and add to food processor (I used my Ninja)  Add water, honey, and peanut butter.  Purée until pretty smooth. Add oats, cocoa powder, and hazelnuts. Pulse until hazelnuts are finely ground or teaches desired consistency. It will be thick. Stir in chocolate chips, if desired. Spread mixture on Saran Wrap and cut into 4 bars. Store on freezer or refrigerator.




This is the fudgy, brownie like counterpart to these Larabars:

Blueberry Larabars



Apple Raisin Larabars


 
Happy Monday! 
~Mary Frances 

24 comments:

  1. I am with you, I don't really like raisins either. I like cinnamon raisin bread and bagels, but won't eat cookies with raisins in them. Hope you feel better! Pinterest and baking always have a way of picking me up.

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    1. Mmm, cinnamon and raisins done well are delicious. And Pinterest and baking always make my day better:) Thanks Meghan!

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  2. I do love raisins in bread, but not in my cookies. I hate how they look like chocolate chips when they're not ugh.
    I do procrastinate so much on Pinterest too... isn't it fabulous?? And hey, these bars look amaing. Hazelnuts + chocolate + pb?? Sign me up right now. I must try it!
    And for a pick me up I really love chocolate mousse... that stuff is genius! Or toast. Toasts are always great ;)

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    1. Hey Mary Frances, this was Consuelo! Mum left her google acount logged in my computer...

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    2. (I've done that before, used my mom's instead of my own.) You have the most creative pick me ups! Toast, now I have to try that. And mousse, man that stuff is amazing. Have you tried it with bananas or avocados? Oh Pinterest - the most entertaining time suck ever! :)

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  3. yum yum yum! I don't mind raisins but in no-bake bars I tend to use dates-do you like dates?

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    1. Oh I love dates! We just didn't have any on hand ... :(

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  4. I'm glad you are feeling better! I would not have done any lab reports thought while stalking Pinterest lol! Isn't that what labmates are for? I'm actually a big fan of raisins but not dates. Dislike them strongly so I would prefer the raisin version of these :)
    PS: My pick me up food is tea and muffins too :)

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    1. Hehe, yeah well, I had to make myself feel more productive, I guess:) But then I went back to Pinterest:) Tea and muffins are the best, aren't they? I'd like to successsfully combine them someday. Thanks!

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  5. I LOVE raisins! Especially golden ones! Have you ever tried them? They're less raisiny than the black ones. If that makes sense. Anywho I love that you made your own larabars! I bet they're delicious!

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    1. I'd forgotten about golden raisins! I should give those a try ... Thanks Reeni!

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  6. I used to love raisins, but then I stopped. But this weekend someone gave me a raisin/chocolate candy mix and everytime I pull out some to snack on, there's a great blend of chocolate and raisins for the raisins to become chocolate covered. It's magical!

    Anyways, this looks great, I would love it as a pick me up!

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    1. Isn't it fun to find new snacks? I've done that with granola, didn't want it, tried it, and fell in live with it;)

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  7. I've never heard of larabars. These look delish. I like raisins, but I'm picky on what I put them in. Weird, I know.
    I hope you feel better soon! Hmm, my quick pick me up...a cup of coffee. :)
    Tina at www.tinaschic.com

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    1. Larabars are just bars of nuts and dates, basically, that cost an arm and a leg at the store:) Ooh, I'm with you on the coffee, especially now that the days are getting cooler!

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  8. I am right there with ya on raisins! I hate when I eat a cookie thinking it has chocolate chips and it ends up being a raisin! I've just discovered making my own LaraBars, so I'll have to test out this recipe!

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    1. It's a serious problem:) Those things need warning labels! LMK what you think if you try them!

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  9. Anything with chocolate and peanut butter sounds wonderful to me!

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  10. This is awesome! My family loves Larabars! This is being featured on Sweet & Savoury Sundays tomorrow! :) Can't wait to see what you bring this week!

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    1. Thanks Ms. Lorraine! I love Larabars, too:) I can't wait to party with you again!

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  11. I don't like rasians either glad to know i'm not alone but I like grapes do you if you dont I guess i'm alone on that.

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