Larabars- Two Recipes, Four More Flavors......

I can't believe how easy it is to make Larabars. And how much cheaper the make-your-own versions are!!
I have been watching my grocery budget much more carefully, and it's really handy to be able to make something that I used to buy regularly and save money! Plus, I love having these bars at about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, when I would really like to be eating some Red Vines, or an Almond Snickers Bar.

.....I really wish I could be one of those people that was truly horrified at the thought of eating red dye #6. Or the type that was disgusted by the food at McDonald's.

.....but alas. I am not. I LIKE red dye.(Or at least I like the foods that are made with red dye) I LIKE McDonald's.

It's sort of like most things- you have to keep on making good choices, because the bad choices come readily when you're not paying attention. Darn it.

Anyhow..... now, added to the Larabar arsenal....

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie

Peanut Butter Cookie

Apricot Almond Yogurt Chip

Apricot Almond

The best part is that I bought MINI chips- both semi-sweet and yogurt- and only added 1/2 tsp of the chips to each bar! I made half the recipe with chips and half without. The chips added only 10-12 calories per bar- but made them SOOOO yummy and treat-ish!! I LOVED the bars without the chips too!! The Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie was my favorite of this bunch!

So here are the things you need to make 4 of each recipe. (If you want all 4 kinds, each recipe will make 2 plain, 2 with chips) For detailed instructions on how to make the bars, see this post on Larabar making 

For the Peanut Butter Cookie:

• 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
• 3/4 cup pitted, roughly chopped dates
• pinch of sea salt

If you want to add mini semi sweet chocolate chips, do so after you've shaped the bar. Evenly sprinkle 1/2 tsp on top of the bar, and, using the saran wrap, gently press them into the top. I suppose you could mix them into the bar, but I wanted an even amount of chocolate on all the bars and I didn't want to use a lot.

For the Apricot Almond bars, (thank you Caryl for the GREAT idea!!) You need:

• 1/2 cup almonds (I used slivered blanched)
• 3/4 cup roughly chopped dried apricots
• pinch of sea salt

If you want to add mini yogurt chips (I found these in the bulk bin section of my local health food shop) add 1/2 tsp to the top of the bar, using the saran wrap to gently press them into the top.

The Apricot Almond definitely have a softer texture than the date-based bars, but when they're refrigerated for a few hours, they are PERFECT! I have been loving having the Cherry Pie Larabars in the afternoons for my snack, and now I have all of these new flavors to look forward to! I have been tossing one into my purse when we run errands, and it's nice to have something for myself or the kids if one of us gets really hungry!

Have a great day!!