Hazelnut Sesame Bars

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Homemade “larabar” type bars are my go to snack when I’m heading out the door.  I usually make a new batch every week with whatever I have laying around in the kitchen.  This week it was hazelnuts and sesame seeds.  So far, these are my favorite ones that I have made.  YUM!!

I have been working on making a bar that is less crumbly.  I tried adding coconut oil to hold them together a bit more.  Still a bit crumbly.  This time I used coconut butter, and I’m quite pleased with how they turned out.  I usually make my own coconut butter, but I was feeling a bit tight on time (since my little one’s nap time is usually the only time I have to get crafty during the day.)  So I used the raw Artisana brand.   For tips on making your own, check out this post.  I have made it in the food processor, but I prefer to use the high speed blender.  It’s much faster.

Hazelnut Sesame Bars

• Author: Katja from Savory Lotus

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates, pitted
• 1/2 cup coconut butter, melted (I use THIS one)
• 2 TBS almond butter
• 3 TBS filtered water
• 1/4 tsp celtic sea salt (like this)
• 1 cup hazelnuts, raw
• 2TBS sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In food processor, process dates, coconut butter, almond butter, salt, and water until they form a paste
2. Add hazel nuts and pulse until nuts are broken down into tiny bits
3. Add sesame seeds and pulse to combine
4. You may need to add a bit of water here. Mixture should be tacky but not sticky wet. Add water a tiny bit at a time.
5. Press mixture firmly into a 9×11 baking pan that is lined with parchment paper. Use the back of your spatula or your fingers to even out the top
6. Place in freezer for about an hour then remove and cut into desired sized bars
7. Store in fridge, separating layers with parchment paper
8. Makes 9-12 bars, depending on how big you like them

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