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The Pancake Princess

The Pancake Princess

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Soft No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars

by erika 42 Comments

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It’s Monday and my back is cramping in two very precise spots in the middle of my back, my shoulders are slightly sunburnt, my feet are weary from walking and a blister on the side of my foot that has been rubbing against my work shoes all morning is threatening to burst in an ugly way.

Soft No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars // The Pancake Princess

It’s been a fantastic weekend.

First, there was the QUEEN (!!!) bed that landed in my life for free (and by landed, I mean: was wrestled from my friend’s house into a truck just inches too small and coerced into the corner of my room by virtue of an ew amount of sweat and bad words). I’m saying goodbye to the twin bed I’ve slept on for the past five years and it feels oh so luxurious.

Soft No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars // The Pancake Princess

Then an amazing vegan Tex-Mex meal where Erik hogged the raw taco stuffed with sprouts, cabbage and mushrooms (we hate mushrooms) and I just watched in amazement (for the two seconds I wasn’t busy shoving spinach and corn tamales in my face).

Then a run to our favorite Mexican bakery where we accidentally left with an overflowing sack of way too many sugar-encrusted pastries for any reasonable couple of people.

Soft No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars // The Pancake Princess

Then to the beach where sun, sea and sand culminated in raw pink shoulders, white cheddar popcorn overindulgence and a lazy afternoon nap before finally putting to use long-anticipated tickets to Houston’s greatest summer concert.

Psychedelic dance parties/light shows two nights in a row = no grocery shopping or serious cooking for me. My fridge is at its all-time emptiest, which made me so grateful for my stash of these no-bake granola bars made earlier in the week with the other half of date paste that hadn’t gone into these muffins.

Soft No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars // The Pancake Princess

These granola bars have no refined or added sugar—just the pure, earthy goodness of dates. At their most basic, they’re essentially five ingredients–perfect for all you bare-fridge bloggers (i.e. none of you…) AND they taste kind of like brownies. Really grain-chewy, slightly fruity brownies. In the fridge, they condense into fudgy bars that rival my other favorite energy bars and you know that means business.

Boyfriend rating: 7/10
Erik’s comments: “These are perfect with apples. I can’t believe there’s no sugar in these! Make these again!!”

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Soft No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars

These soft and chewy no-bake granola bars get their sweetness entirely from dates and a chocolate kick from antioxidant-rich cacao powder. They're great for a quick, fudgy on-the-go energy boost!
Prep Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup dates
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup steel-cut oats*
  • 1 tablespoon nut butter I used almond
  • 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder or cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup add-ins: chocolate chips sliced or slivered almonds, dried fruit, etc.

Instructions

  • To make the date paste:
  • Add the dates and water to a small saucepan over high heat, uncovered. Once the water begins to boil, add the baking powder and stir, lowering the heat to medium or medium-high, so that the date mixture continues to foam and bubble. Continue to simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until date mixture is completely broken down into an approximate paste. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • To assemble the granola bars:
  • Toss together the oats, cacao powder and add-ins of your choice (I added 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of toasted, slivered almonds). Stir in cooled date paste and nut butter until the wet ingredients are evenly distributed.
  • Press oat mixture into a greased baking pan or, if you're lazy, rip off a large square of plastic wrap. If you press the oat mixture into a rough rectangle and then cover in plastic wrap, you can use a heavy cutting board to flatten it out into a prettier square.
  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars, for prettiest cuts. But also eat it warm if you're impatient 😉

Notes

*You can sub additional rolled oats for these. I had steel-cut on hand; I think they add a bit more gritty texture, but any type of oats should be fine.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Stephanie

    May 11, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    I’ve made these four times so I think I am overdue to comment. I LOVE these bars. The best thing about them is no food processing (so no cleaning the food processor). I use more chocolate chips (or carob chips) and no nuts. I would err on the side of more dates to allow for more stickiness and CHOP them before adding the pan. I just added instant coffee to my last batch and it was tasty. Thanks for the recipe! Again great idea and love the way they taste!

    Reply
    • erika

      May 14, 2015 at 7:26 pm

      So happy to hear you’ve been loving these, Stephanie! Thanks for sharing your modifications and tips! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Rikki Williams

    June 17, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    Omg, These are amazing and I haven’t even tried a completed one! I snagged a pinch while forming them into a square and I almost died. SO amazing!!!!!

    Reply
    • erika

      June 17, 2014 at 10:43 pm

      Oh yay!!!! Rikki, I’m so glad to hear it 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by to let me know! <3

      Reply
  3. Allison

    March 19, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    What is the yield of this recipe? And what size pan do you use?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • erika

      March 19, 2014 at 2:13 pm

      Hi Allison! The yield will depend on the size you make the bars. I didn’t use a pan when I made these (just formed them using plastic wrap and my hands on a cutting board) and made about 6.

      I think a loaf pan would be a good size, or you could use the smallest square-shaped pan you have (an 8×8 would probably make the bars too thin). Hope this helps–I’d love it if you let me know how they turn out for you! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Whitney

    March 8, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    I made these last night mainly for my boyfriend to take to work, and he approves! Of course I loved them, but he’s a little harder to please. I didn’t have quite enough oats so I added a bit of almond meal. I added some chopped nuts and chocolate chips but left everything else the same. They had the perfect amount of moisture and cut into bars nicely. Nice job!

    Reply
    • erika

      March 10, 2014 at 9:16 am

      Whitney!! So glad to hear it! Adding almond meal + those other add-ins sound DELICIOUS. Thanks so much for letting me know they worked out for you 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lianna

    November 1, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    reading this post makes me miss summer so much!! I’m really digging the whole idea of using dates as a natural sweetener, I really need to get on this!

    Reply
  6. Darlene

    September 19, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    i wanted to ask if you might know what the calories are and the carbs thanks alot , i ask because carbs are not my friend

    Reply
  7. Roberta

    August 18, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Just made these and they look fantastic!! I love the date paste ingredient – I’ve used dates before, but never broken them down with water and baking powder, what a great method! I’m sure I will be making these often, thank you!

    Reply
  8. McKayla

    July 15, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    Not a big fan of dates. Any suggestions of alternates? Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
    • erika

      July 15, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      Do you like raisins? Or apricots? Actually, most dried fruits should work fairly well. You may need to add some sweetener to taste, but I think raisins would be the closest sub. Or prunes. Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
  9. Lynn @ The Actor's Diet

    June 14, 2013 at 9:16 pm

    I just bought a whole buncha dates – can’t wait to make these!

    Reply
    • erika

      June 17, 2013 at 9:38 am

      Yay! Let me know how you like them 🙂 I’m busy exploring your blog right now and it’s amazing!! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

      Reply
  10. carla @ eat sweet. by carla sue

    June 8, 2013 at 2:41 am

    Yum! These bars look amazing!

    Reply
  11. Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies

    June 6, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Ooh, just pinned these. 🙂 I’ve been having frozen muffins for breakfast for a few weeks now and I think I’ll switch it up with granola bars next week!

    Reply
  12. The Wimpy Vegetarian

    June 6, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    I love dates!! Pinning these bars right now to make sure I make them. Oh, and I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve left a bakery, accidentally carrying a bag of sugary somethings, and have no regrets LOL. Really enjoyed reading your post about the weekend. It’s sounds so fun, and major congrats on the new bed. I still remember when I made the transition. I was living in Atlanta and just couldn’t wait for the store to deliver it, I was that excited. so they threw it on top of my car, tied that sucker down, and I hoped for the best when I got onto the freeway. Got it to my apartment in all one piece, but then couldn’t figure out how the hell I was going to get it off the car and into the apartment by myself. Eventually I did it, but jeez, it was crazy. LOL.

    Reply
    • erika

      June 6, 2013 at 4:22 pm

      Oh man your comment just made my day! You’re right–I have ZERO regrets about all the delicious Mexican pastries that were consumed. In fact, I’m ready for a round two… 🙂

      I’m so enjoying everyone’s stories about their upgrades to a new bed! Ha–that is too funny that you couldn’t wait for them to deliver it!! I love that. Serious determination to sleep in comfort! And then from Atlanta to California…I can only assume the bed didn’t go with you 🙂

      Reply
  13. Jarome

    June 5, 2013 at 9:45 am

    You will not go nuts with this one. YUMMY! 🙂

    Reply
  14. jmcvl

    June 4, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Wow – what an incredible week. Truly sounds fantastic!! And those no bake bars? YUUUM

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:54 pm

      It definitely was! Almost as fun as your life 🙂

      Reply
  15. Brandi

    June 4, 2013 at 12:45 am

    These look fabulous, healthy and so simple Erika! Love the raw cacao. That’s too funny about y’all “accidentally” leaving the bakery with pastries…sounds like something I would do! I remember upgrading from a twin to a queen and then a king, oh my! Such a difference!

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:52 pm

      Haha! I have this impression you would have slightly more restraint than Erik and I did…luckily, I think your being vegan would keep you from visiting El Bolillo in the first place! I really should go vegan 😉 And yes! Twin to queen has been amazing so far!!

      Reply
      • Brandi

        June 11, 2013 at 3:36 pm

        Oh no girl, trust me, I have a sweet tooth like you wouldn’t believe! Seriously, my hubby and mother-n-law nicknamed me the Cookie Monster. I’ve always been addicted to sweets, I just do my best to make them as healthy as I can. I LOVE sugary pastries!!

  16. yummychunklet

    June 3, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful no-bake recipe!

    Reply
  17. Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen

    June 3, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    Sounds like an awesome weekend! I need to get a new bed too! Those granola bars look so tasty!

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks Alex! I hope you get a new bed soon–it’s the best feeling, sleeping in a brand spankin’ new bed 🙂

      Reply
  18. Kayle (The Cooking Actress)

    June 3, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Mmmm….chocolate 😀

    Queen beds rock–Michael totally still thinks we need more space though (because “I hog the bed”–aka, I try to be near him, oh man I’m the worst lol)

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:30 pm

      Hahaha THE WORST! Obvs. Haha.

      Reply
  19. Alex @ Brain, Body, Because

    June 3, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Oh my gosh! That weekend sounds SO fun!!! Which bands did you see?? I didn’t realize that half of them are still together / touring / alive (Postal Service? Interpol [sorta]?) Also, please tell me that you caught the Octopus Project! I saw them a few years ago and it was AMAZING!!!

    Also amazing: These granola bars! It has been gross hot in Pittsburgh an no-bake anything is a win in my book.

    Also also – you had a TWIN bed?! Girl, that shit is SO SMALL! I’m glad that you have a bigger bed now 🙂

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:29 pm

      Ahhh I’m so sad to say we did not see the Octopus Project 🙁 We were kind of lame and only went for like five hours each night to catch the headliners. Doing music festivals all day long is just exHAUSTING so we didn’t catch any of the smaller bands. Poop! I’m sad we missed them!

      And girl, me too 🙂

      Reply
  20. Kenley Leigh

    June 3, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    Sounds like a great weekend, Erika! These granola bars sound really tasty!
    Kenley

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks Kenley! They are pretty addicting 🙂

      Reply
  21. Jennifer

    June 3, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    These look GREAT…. and the weekend sounds like it was amazing.

    Monday’s on the other hand, suck.

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•`¤… Jennifer
    Jenn’s Random Scraps

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      True story! And thanks Jennifer 🙂

      Reply
  22. Nancy @ gottagetbaked

    June 3, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    That sounds like a fabulous weekend, girl. Now that I’m older (read: tired ‘n cranky) I don’t have too many weekends where my schedule is packed full of stuff but they’re always fun when they happen! Not so fun is the empty fridge, which is what mine is at the end of the work week. Fridays are always our take out day because there’s nothing to eat at home. I was literally standing in the grocery store last week, with a pack of dates in my hand wondering if I should buy them. I put them down and walked away and now I’m kicking myself for doing so. I’m buying some asap so that I can make these bars. I love how easy, adaptable and healthy they are (provided I don’t cram them full of chopped chocolate bars or something ridiculous like I’m wont to do). And how do you cut them into such perfect rectangles? Every time I cut bars, they’re all wonky. Last comment: congrats on the bigger bed! I went from a single bed at my parent’s house, to a queen when me ‘n Tony first moved out, and now we have a ginormous king. You’re just one step away from the biggest size – I hope you get there soon!

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      Mmm, I want to implement take out Fridays! I think I need more take out pad thai and fried rice in my life. Ooh yes, please go buy some dates! They are so amazing, and you can use them in so many things! If you like the flavor, they’re seriously the best replacement for sugar. So healthy! 😉

      You always make me feel so good about myself! I thought these bars were pretty messy, but in order to maximize neatness, I shaped them into the best possible square I could, then refrigerated them so that they were cold when I cut them. That’s it! 🙂

      Reply
  23. christina @ smallkitchenchronicles

    June 3, 2013 at 11:36 am

    Sounds like a great weekend, Erika. And enjoy that lovely new (BIG) bed of yours. I remember the day I upgraded from full to queen and it was OH SO NICE. Sleep in comfort, girl! And these bars looks delicious; quite the compliment from the boyfriend too, AND with no added sugar to boot, nice! xo

    Reply
    • erika

      June 4, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      Ahaha don’t worry, I am!! 😉 Yes, I was quite pleased (and kind of surprised!) Erik liked these as much as he did. Thanks for stopping by, as always 🙂

      Reply
  24. Tahnycooks

    June 3, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Going to go get some dates…… 😉 yum!

    Reply

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