Power Bars

These are a great treat when I need a sweet treat without the guilt.  Dates do have a lot of natural sugars so these bars are not to be eaten in large amounts.  One square curbs my craving for sweets immediately.
Similar bars can be found in health food stores, however, they are so expensive!  A little bit of work in the kitchen makes a big difference on the grocery bill.

power bars

30 medijool dates, pitted
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup dry roasted almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
4 tablespoons coconut powder
2 tablespoons almond butter

1. Place all ingredients in food processor.
2. Blend for a 2-3 minutes, until you can form a ball with a spoonful.
3. Pour mixture into a parchment paper lined 9 X 13 cookie sheet or casserole dish.
4. Press down on mixture until it's very compacted.  This process should take a few minutes.
5. Cover with a cloth and refrigerate for 4-5 hours.
6. Remove from cookie sheet/casserole dish by pulling on the parchment paper.
7. Place on a cutting board (with parchment paper still underneath the mixture) and cut into desired size squares/bars.
8. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, place in a sealed container and return to refrigerator.  
9. These are great to enjoy as a quick snack at home or grab one to go!