My family has been really enjoying the new Peanut Butter Chocolate chip Larabars lately. 
They like them so much so that we go through a costco sized pack of them every few days! Their favorite is the peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. But at the rate my little brother and sister snack on these little bars, the money can really add up (even when we buy them at costco’s discounts). Usually they are around $1.50-$2.00 each, just in case you wanted to know 😉
Solution: make my own Peanut Butter Chocolate Larabars! Simple enough, since there are only four ingredients: Dates, Peanuts, Chocolate Chips (unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter and vanilla), and Salt. Also, when I made my own I can eliminate the unnecessary sugar from the chocolate chips.
By the way, I love that the Larabars try their best to have fair-trade certified ingredients, and high-quality bars with minimal ingredients. What they do is great, and the bars are a perfect snack when you are on the road.
But, back to my Larabars!
I knew I could make my own larabars, after all, Katie makes her Fudge Babies, and Angela has made a plethora of different larabars, too!
If they can do it, I can do it!
Soooo….I did do it! And I am so glad I did!
Chocolate-Peanut Truffles
~This is a recipe I made on my Bake Night. The truffles are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and of course, sugar free! Try to restrain yourself from eating too many, though, because if you are like me, you can get a sugar high from the dates!
Ingredients
Makes about 2 dozen truffles
- 8 dates (any kind will do)
- 1/2 cup roasted, salted peanuts (or use unsalted peanuts and add your own salt)
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- Optional: chunks of unsweetened chocolate or cacao nibs
How-To Picture Tutorial:
Using a food processor (I have also had success with a magic bullet), chop the dates first into a date-paste. Then add nuts and chop. Finally, add cocoa powder and mix. If the dough is too powdery, add a small dash of water. If it is too sweet, add more peanuts. If it is not sweet enough, add more dates. The recipe is extremely versatile. Note: It is best when the peanuts are chunky, so don’t over-chop the peanuts!
- Finally, roll into balls and enjoy!
I served these to some of my tennis friends, and they were a hit!
Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:
Have you ever tried a larabar? I’ve tried them, but I can’t really eat them. I think the date:nut proportion favors the dates too much. They are too sweet for me! I also can’t bring myself to buy a bar for $2 when I know I can make my own for less than 50 cents. (My brother and sister can, though!)
They sound exactly like my peanut butter babies, which are one of my favorite babies. So yummy! 🙂
I know, they were inspired by you!!! Thanks so much, my family LOVES them 🙂
Those look so good!! And it sounds like a good less expensive alternative to larabars!!
I JUST had my first Larabar yesterday, so this is a perfectly timed post. 🙂 I had the cashew cookie, and I did find myself thinking…”I can totally make this.” [Luckily, mine was a gift, and I didn’t have to pay for it. Although I have found them for $1 at a local grocery store.]
I look forward to experimenting a bit, and I love your version as a starting point!
That is so funny! They are really pretty when you roll them in cocoa powder-looks like real truffles! You can also make coconut by using a different nut and adding coconut shavings. Or carrot cake by adding shredded carrots! The possibilities are endless!
I make my own lara bars all the time (more in summer months) they make great pre-workout snacks. (or post)
they are calorie dense so I try and not over do it.
love your reduces sugar version.
I have everything at home so I should make a batch. also, I freeze mine so I always have fresh bars.
I made an old fashioned donut hole flavored one last holiday season and they, to date, are my favorite.
(I should go see if I can lower the sugar on it now)
great snacks for kids too!!!
A donut-hole flavor? I’d love to know the recipe!
I love those new Larabars! Well, I pretty much love them all, but the pb ones are my fave!
yummy!!! the coconut cream pie one is hands down THE BEST one ever!!! so freakin’ good!!! wow..the carrot cake one is good too! those are really the only ones i’ve tried!
Hey those would be easy to make, too! Ingredients for coconut cream pie: coconut oil, cashews, almonds, dates, unsweetened coconut. Ingredients for carrot cake: dates, unsweetened coconut, almonds, walnuts, raisins, pineapple, cinnamon, coconut oil.
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GAH! I NEED a new food processor!! There are so mnay Larabar variations I want to make, but my magic bullet just doesnt get the almonds ground up enough…its so frustrating. I know my little bro and sis would LOVE these ones especially…I wish i could make them for them!
I used my magic bullet once to make this!!! It worked perfectly 🙂 The balls are actually better when the nuts are chunkier! Good Luck!
I haven’t tried a larabar yet – but I see / hear them mentioned ALL the time. Not sure what I’m waiting for but I’ll have to check them out.
BTW…your truffles look yummy.
Heyyy, thanks for stopping by my blog
This is the first time I visit yours and I love it already
I definitely agree with you on the larabars, if the sweetness isn’t enough to ruin your appetite – the price is!
Have a great day,
Nicole
Oh! I have been wanting to make pb chocolate “lara’s” homemade! I even bought peanuts and restocked with dates earlier this week. When I get home I am SO totally making these!
VEGirl
MAKE THEM! (Not to be pushy or anything 🙂 But trust me they are so good!
Never been a fan of larabars, really any bars in general. I am not sure why just not my thing I guess, haha. I agree making your own bars is the way to go!! Yours look great!
I’ve never been a big fan either, but these taste REALLY good!
Those look really tasty! I’ll have to try them!
Larabars are ok. I don’t get the crazed adoration though. And some of them are so easy and cheap to replicate that I wouldn’t buy them.
I started making these like in june or so after I got sick of paying the ridonculous fee for these total simple tasty treats. Since then I have turned friends, family and co-workers into crazed home-made lara bar fiends. I will walk into work and say I have something for you and every face lights up. I think the best part is that I get to make all my own mixtures. 1st was a “hot -cocoa” bar with homemade marshmallows, so good I wanted to eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner. next pumpkin spice and now I am working on a choco peppermint brownie bar.
I know! They are so easy! Why not make your own??
Chocolate-peppermint sounds delightful! I love the minty-chocolate combo 😉
These look really good! I’m going to have to try them! 🙂
This recipe looks fantastic! I eat way too many Lara Bars and definitely need to start making them myself to save some money!
Thanks for your comment on my blog about going sugar-free. It’s harder than I thought–I’m finding it in everything!–but your site is definitely helping!
🙂
Oh yea! And they are soooo easy, too!