Bacio and Macardalm Bars

These bars are alot like Lara bars and easy to adapt to whatever flavors you like and what you have in your pantry.  I adapted these recipes from http://minimalistbaker.com/chocolate-hazelnut-no-bake-cookies/

Both recipes can be easily doubled.

Bacio Bars (in honor of Jora who I imagine to be eating Bacio Gelato on a daily basis!)

1 cup hazelnut meal
1 cup dates (soaked if necessary to soften)
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
3/4 tsp good quality salt
2 oz chopped dark chocolate
1 oz raw cacoa nibs
can add 1/8 tsp scant espresso powder
can add a dash of cinnamon or other spices
can add whole nuts at the end if you want some chunks

Add dates to a food processor and pulse until small bits remain.

Add cocoa powder, salt, chopped chocolate, espresso and spices if using.  Mix until well incorporated.

Add more dates while mixing if necessary if mixture is too dry.  You know it is the right texture when you gather a bit in your fingers and it easily forms a ball.

Add cocoa nibs and whole nuts if using and pulse briefly to give some crunch to your bar.

Press into a small flat pan with your fingers or roll with a rolling pin, or flatten with another pan of equal size.  Cut into bars.  Can be refrigerated or wrapped individually and frozen.  Enjoy!


Macardalm Bars (My funny, made-up name for Macadamia, Cardamom, and Almond Bars)

9 mejdool dates
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup raw Macadamia nuts
3/4 tsp good quality salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp or more Cardamom
can add whole nuts at the end if you want some chunks 

Add dates to a food processor and pulse until small bits remain.

Add nuts, salt, vanilla, and cardamom.  Mix until well incorporated.

Add more dates while mixing if necessary if mixture is too dry.  You know it is the right texture when you gather a bit in your fingers and it easily forms a ball.

Adjust seasonings as necessary.  Can add more nuts and pulse briefly if you wants some crunch.

Press into a small flat pan with your fingers or roll with a rolling pin, or flatten with another pan of equal size.  Cut into bars.  Can be refrigerated or wrapped individually and frozen.  Enjoy!