Coconut Cashew Date Bars
Author: 
Recipe type: Snack, Breakfast
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: Varies
 
Three ingredients + two minutes in the food processor = one perfect and natural snack. Great for special-allergy-needs (except nut allergies!).
Ingredients
  • 1.5 - 2 cups pitted dates (i.e. pits removed)*
  • .75 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • ⅔ cup raw unsalted cashews
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor bowl**, distributing them evenly as possible to give it a good head-start.
  2. Pulse the food processor a few times, holding on to the base (the dates are hard for the processor to get started on, but they will break up soon).
  3. Continue to pulse, or process on low, for a minute or two. The motor will have to work pretty hard, so you may want to give it a break after 30-45 seconds.
  4. The ingredients will chop up finely and then start to blend together. When they start to adhere to each other, you are almost there.
  5. The mixture may form into one big ball. That's great! If it looks like that may not happen, try pinching some and see if it sticks together. If it does, you are good to go.
  6. Pour the mixture onto a large piece of parchment paper. pat it down firmly until it it about .25" thick, using part of the same parchment paper or a second piece.
  7. Refrigerate the pressed mixture for 15-20 minutes (or longer - no rush!).
  8. Place the slab on a cutting board, and cut as desired. I like squares, but you may prefer larger rectangles.
  9. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. You may wish to separate the finished pieces with parchment paper so they don't stick to each other.
  10. Enjoy for quick snacks or breakfast on the go!
Notes
* In my experience, "medjool" dates are a bit moister (/better tasting), but come with the pits inside - and you need to get them out. This only takes a few minutes with a paring knife, but some find this task less than desirable. You can usually find "noor" dates with the pits already removed. I have found them in 10oz packages, which you can literally toss straight in the food processor with your cashews and coconut, and be done in two minutes.

For more info on pitting dates, check out this information (look just below the large photo of the date in my fingers).

** Although many recipes can be made in either a food processor or blender, I have not tried this one in a blender and think that the shape of the blender bowl and length of the blades probably won't work for this recipe the way that a food processor will.
Recipe by My Utensil Crock at https://www.myutensilcrock.com/2018/04/24/coconut-cashew-date-bars-no-bake/