Lemon Nut Bars
These Lemon Nut Bars are sticky, chewy, a little tart, and sweet. They are a cinch to make and a healthy snack for everyone! They are a variation of a Fruit and Nut Bar.
One of my friends use to make a version of these when we worked together in higher education which is what inspired this recipe. I was pregnant with my 2nd baby and was craving these bars so we made them and I haven't stopped making them since. Marie and Mae love them. They are a healthy snack for them and always great to have in the fridge for an on-the-go option.
What are Fruit and Nut Bars?
Fruit and Nut Bars are a chewy snack bar made primarily of cashews and dates. The dates sweeten them but they do not have that distinct date taste. The dates just offer that mild sweetness and chewy, sticky texture while holding everything together.
The cashews are there for nutrition, protein, and texture. These are going to be a Larabar copycat, if you will. They have similar ingredients and taste extremely alike.
Customize!
The original recipe of the Fruit and Nut Bars included protein powder. I opt to omit that because I am giving these to my girls and don't love them to have a lot of protein powder. You can definitely add 1/3 cup of your favorite flavor and brand of protein powder if you would like!
I make so many variations of these which I will share soon. Some of my favorites are chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, pumpkin, and cinnamon. I change them up with the seasons or to whatever my girls want! I can't wait to share them all soon!
If you have the base down, you can really play with whatever flavors you like and go from there!
Tips for Making Fruit and Nut Bars
Use a food processor. It is going to give you the best texture when combining the cashews and dates.
I like to buy whole dates with the pit in and slice them in half to remove the pit before blending. I do this because I feel like the whole dates are better quality and have a longer shelf life. However, you can certainly use pitted dates for this.
When blending the mixture together, you want to go so far that the mixture holds it shape if you squeeze it in your hand. I prefer the pieces of cashew to be pretty small, but you can have them slightly bigger, as long as the mixture holds together.
Lastly, the amount of liquid can vary so start with the recipe instructions and add a tablespoon of water at a time if you feel like the mixture is too dry.
Enjoy!
Explore more!
Lemon Nut Bars
These are the perfect snack! Sweetened with dates and coming together only a few natural ingredients, you cannot go wrong with these!
- 2 cups unsalted cashews
- 12 whole dates (sliced in half and pitted)
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- Prepare a 8x8 glass dish with parchment paper, allowing the parchment paper to create wings on the sides so the bars are easy to lift out of the pan once set. Set aside.
- Add the cashews and dates to a food processor. Blend on high until the cashews and dates are chopped into small pieces. Add in the salt and lemon juice. Blend on high again until the mixture comes together, forming a ball, similar to a dough.
- Place the mixture in the prepared dish. Press the mixture into an even layer. If the mixture is sticky, wet your hands a little to help them not stick. Once the mixture is patted out into an even layer, place the dish in the fridge to set for an hour, before slicing. Once the bars are set, cute them into 16 even squares and enjoy!
- These bars will keep in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.