[Downhill]

I like packing bars in the mountains.  I'm fine with some GU and trail mix now and then, in a pinch, but they are less satisfying to me than a savory or chocolatey bar.  There are a good number of commercially available bars on the market that I enjoy, not only for the carb, fat, protein offering but also the taste.  But assuming you're getting out every week or so, or maybe even more frequently, the cost of these adds up quickly.  Besides the financial - motivation, I just love to cook.  I love making something from scratch, with whole ingredients of my choosing, adding in the things I like and opting out of those I don't care for.  This is the backdrop of my quest for the ultimate homemade energy bar!!

After some internet recipe searching, I made a batch of bars incorporating bits and pieces of recipes, modifying each to my preferences.  I specifically opted for no-bake options.  Here's what I made mine from:

Quick oats
Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts (powdered in my blender)
Coconut oil
Shredded coconut
Cocoa powder
Fresh figs

Most recipes I found called for dried figs or dried dates, but I went for the fresh figs - big mistake.  My bars never set up, even after a night in the fridge.  I had energy paste that was super yummy and packed full of energy-producing goodness but had the consistency of wood putty, playdough or worse.  I think that if I'd used dried figs or dried dates, it would have set up firmly as I'd expected.  A lesson learned.

Have you "home-maded" some energy bars that you're happy with??  If so, please share.  If you tried and failed but have a funny story to share, that's good too!!

[Brushwork]

I haven’t made any energy bars yet but I’ve looked at recipes.   I think you just didn’t have enough dried fruit.   Seems to me that in uncooked recipes it’s the fruit that does the thickening and binding.  Ground chia seeds might help too, they have a “thickening” quality, though it might require a little liquid.   

Sounds good though!

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When I grow up I wanna play.

[Downhill]

[sarbar]

Medjool dates are key to raw bars. They act like nothing else out there to bind. Don't skimp on it! Costco is the cheapest to buy - back in the produce section. They don't need to be chilled.

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https://trailcooking.com/ Eat well on the trail.

[sarbar]

https://trailcooking.com/snacks/date-walnut-energy-bars/

That was a fave of mine when we could have nuts in the house (our youngest has severe food allergies)

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https://trailcooking.com/ Eat well on the trail.

[Downhill]