Well it looks like this week I am just a big ol’ copycat. That’s right. If you missed Monday’s post I made a simple copycat Panera salad HERE and today, well today is a snack day so I am making some copycat Larabars.
I know it might be weird to see gingerbread flavors in January, but I simply didn’t get enough of the holiday flavors. The whole season just rushed by and I’ve decided if I want to keep making pumpkin and gingerbread things for a bit longer, I will!
After the Holidays I took the kids to Target to get our flu shots and right by the pharmacy was a little clearance section of snack bars. I usually only buy Kind or Larabars so when I saw the Larabar limited edition flavors I was a tad excited.
Then I saw the price- they were on clearance for $2.79 a box!! Oh my gosh. I got so excited a grabbed a bunch of boxes and then wondered what if I didn’t like the flavors- Pumpkin and Gingerbread. You know some of the flavors aren’t my favorite so I didn’t want to throw money down the drain. I decided on 3 boxes, 1 pumpkin and 2 gingerbread.
I am glad I only bought the one pumpkin because it was a little weird tasting in my opinion, but the gingerbread, oh the gingerbread was soooo good. I was kicking myself for not buying allll the boxes (although there weren’t all that many left anyway). I knew I could easily recreate it since I had this Coconut Cream Pie Larabar recipe under my belt.
It only took a few minutes of experimenting (thanks to their simple ingredients list) and they taste just like the original bar! The were a bit sticker than regular Larabars but otherwise very similar. If you want them thicker just pat them into a small dish or you can even take the ball of “dough” and roll it out with a greased rolling pin until desired thickness, then cut into squares or bars.
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
Life is too short to limit flavors to certain seasons, so if you feel like eating something that reminds you of the summer, eat it! If you feel like making some that you’d typically only make around the Holidays, do it! I never got around to making my most favorite gingerbread so plan on making that too! A little weird? Maybe. But if it means I get to eat homemade gingerbread copycat Larabars year round, I am okay with that!
Enjoy!
[Tweet “Missed the Limited Edition Larabar flavors?! Make these Homemade Gingerbread Energy bars! via @nutritiouseats”]
- ¾ cup almonds
- ¾ cup cashews
- 1 cup chopped dates, about 7-8 large dates, pitted
- ½ cup raisins
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- In a food processor, combine almonds and cashews and process until coarse crumbs. Add dates, raisins, water, vanilla and spices. Process and until a ball starts to form.
- Transfer mixture over to a 8x8 dish lined with foil coated in cooking spray. Pat mixture with hands or smooth with a rubber spatula. Refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up. Cut into 8 bars.
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I can’t wait to try these. I love LARABARs! Pinning!
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..A DIY Blogger: Welcome to Coach Debbie Runs
Thanks Debbie! You’re the best 🙂
AMAZING! i love anything and everything with dates in it – which is why i hardly buy them because i eat them like candy… which i suppose IS healthier than candy lol
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich
How funny. They are the perfect natural sweet treat!
i die! I love me some larabars but they are so dang expensive!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..WIAW: Warm Me Up
Totally! And considering I want them everyday, I definitely need a more affordable option!
hahaha! I did the exact same thing! I loaded up on the Gingerbread when I saw them on clearance. They are soooo good! I’ve got one box left. Good thing you shared this recipe!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..A Date Night at Home
Yay! I was surprised to see the limited edition flavors but so glad I stumbled upon them.
Thanks! The gingerbread Lara bars are my favorite flavor EVER!
JoAnne recently posted..Frostbite 15K (January 18, 2015)
Haha, Thanks JoAnne. I am surprised at how many people have tried the Gingerbread flavor! So good!
I love Lara bars! I have to try this recipe! Gingerbread is one of my favorite flavors, and I’m so excited to be able to make it myself year-round! This is great!
Tiffany Khyla recently posted..Frozen Vanilla, Strawberry and Pistachio Yogurt Bars Recipe.
Thanks Tiffany! I was surprised at how much I liked that flavor!
I can’t wait to try these! They sold out everywhere before I could buy any.
Earl-Leigh recently posted..Graceless Yoga and My Favorite Free Resources
Thanks! I was surprised to see they had limited edition flavors- wonder if there were any others I missed!
These look delicious! Can’t wait to try these!
Julie @ Girl on the Move recently posted..Blogging Better #3
Thanks Julie! 🙂
Love love love this. I love making my own snack bars.
Allie recently posted..Endive Leaves with Cheddar, Apples, Bacon and Dates
Thanks Allie! I agree, they just taste better!
You just made me so happy! The gingerbread and the snikerdoodle were nowhere to be found! But the pumpkin pie seasonal I have all year round for some reason! But now one problem is solved 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted..Grain-Free Butternut Squash Bread
Oooh Sinkerdoodle- didn’t see those! Thanks Rebecca 🙂
Typically copy-cats are ANNOYING… I hate when my sister tries to copy me, LOL – it irritates me to no end… BUT THIS copy-cat… NOT ANNOYING AT ALL! It’s simply amazing 😀
GiGi Eats recently posted..Lil Wayne’s Sundae Breakfast, Wink, Wink!
Thanks girlfriend! 😉
Oh my! It would make my husband’s day if I would make these for him! Great recipe, and I love the pictures. These look delicious.
Bobbie recently posted..Budget Valentine’s Day | Cheap Date Night
Thanks so much Bobbie!
Looks yummie! But what is allspice? I’m not sure it exists in Sweden where I come from.
It’s similar to a combo of nutmeg/cloves/cinnamon. Just google it- it might go by another name in your country! Thanks for stopping by!
I only buy Kind and Larabars too. The other one’s all taste like chemical bars. I’m also kicking myself that I missed this gingerbread flavor. Guess that means I’m going to have to make this recipe. 🙂
mymansbelly recently posted..Easy Chicken Recipes – Chicken Arrabiata
Yay, enjoy! And thank you!
Oh these bars look so delicious!!
Thank you Alicia!
Oh I am SO excited to try these. I couldn’t find these Larabars anywhere! Thanks for sharing!!
Emily @SinfulNutrition recently posted..How To Make Oatmeal More Filling
thanks Emily! They were really a good flavor!
LOVED THE RECIPE!!!! I tried the gingerbread larabars and LOVED them, but could not find them again. And then I find this recipe! Thank you Melanie for such a delectable and delicious recipe!!!
Awesome, thank you for the comment Yuvia! So glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
You’re so welcome. Glad you enjoyed them!
I’m so excited to try these! Wondering if you used raw almonds and cashews or roasted?? Thanks!
Roasted unsalted nuts 🙂 Thanks!
Thank you! I nibble on these bars as a “digestive” after dinner. My experience is exactly like yours: I found these at a discount store, bought a few—and then wished I had bought every one they had, because now, nor more. UNTIL NOW! many thanks.