Raw Orange and Cacao Energy Bars

As part of my 2015 Adventure Goal to complete the Ridgeway this year, I’ve been experimenting with raw snack bars to power me through the miles. This is the latest, receiving a 10/10 rating from my walking buddy. I make these in my Froothie Optimum 9400 which does a great job of grinding the nuts into a fairly fine powder and makes it easier to bind together the ingredients in the bars, but you could also use a food processor or other blender to make these.
Raw Orange and Cacao Energy Bars
Ingredients

• 1.5-2 cups cashews
• 1/2 cup pitted prunes
• 1/2 cup pitted dates
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 heaped tbsp of cacao nibs (I recommend Naturya Organic Cocoa Nibs)
• a small pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a food processor or blender pulse cashews until coarsely chopped.
2. Remove half of the cashews. Continue processing the remaining cashews until finely ground. Combine with the coarsely chopped cashews.
3. Add the prunes, dates and orange zest to the food processor or blender and blitz into a paste.
4. Add the cacao nibs and the nuts to the food processor / blender (don’t add all of the nuts at once – you might not need all of the nuts to bind theses together; it depends on the moisture content of your dried fruit). Blitz until everything has congealed together. Check the consistency – if it’s super sticky, add more nuts.
5. Line a small container with cling film (I used a 4′ tupperware). Press the mixture into the dish with your hands.
6. Refrigerate for half an hour and then cut unto pieces.

See also:

• Raw Prune and Coconut Bars
• Homemade Larabars
• Easy Nut & Date Bars [simplifyyourhealth.co.uk]
• Apricot & Citrus No Bake Bars [kelliesfoodtoglow.com]
• Sweet Potato & Fresh Ginger Protein Balls [veggiedesserts.co.uk]