Peanut Butter Cranberry Bars & Take-Off

You know that heartbreaking feeling when you find your peanutbutter jar....almost...empty? I don't know why, but for some reason this is one of the saddest occasions in the kitchen (that, and when your cake that you have been anticipating just...collapses). BUT one can only make the most of those moments and make sure you use up the last bit for something deeeelicious right? Or just grab a spoon.

In this case, I managed to behave, just in time to make these lovely nutty bars! These are sugar-free, vegan, and packed full of nutty goodness, just the way we like it!

Peanut Butter Cranberry Bars
(Makes 4-6)

1 cup dates
2 tbsp dried cranberries
2 biiiig tbsp peanut butter
1/2 cup oats
50g hazelnuts (or other nuts)

- Simply soak the dates in a bowl in warm water for five minutes, then drain. Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until you have a sticky paste, still with a bit of crunch to it.

- Take a small cake tin or a bread tin, and dress it with clingfilm, then add your mixture. Flatten down into the tin firmly with your hands. The mixture should be about 1cm thick.

- Now, you can cut them into little bars, OR you can make power balls, simply by rolling them.

These are perfect for lunchboxes, when you're in a hurry and need something on-the-go, or enjoy with a cup of coffee in the morning or afternoon.

PS. I am pretty sure my stick blender hates me.... In fact, I know so, he's giving me evil looks and wants to retire in place of an actual food processor...

What are your favourite bars?

On a slightly different note, this will be my last post before christmas! I am going to Norway today (cannot wait!) and because I am only there for five days, I doubt I will be online much during that time, as I have soo many lovely faces to see! So don't you go posting hundreds of goodies in my absense! (Although, I will probably scroll back and update my self even if it will take me a week...).

I found that I don't tend to walk up mountains in Norway in the Winter time, but chances are that Bergen wont be covered in snow - so I thought posting a picture of the sunny fjords was appropriate in any which case *smiles*

Bags are packed, Seamus and Finnegan have gotten their holiday fish food and are on their second breakfast, and all I can say is simply have a wonderful festive season! Big hugs from Glasgow x


Original source:
http://www.nutritionistinthekitch.com/2012/12/02/vegan-pb-j-energy-bars/

- Jules aka Julienissen