Raw Granola Hearts
Valentine hearts are all over. The treats we share are usually really sweet and that’s fine. It’s a special occasion. However, here is a suggestion for a more natural treat. It makes a great morning or afternoon snack as well…Put one of these in your purse and it just may be (a little) easier to say no to the sugar and fat-laden afternoon cake at the office.
Lately, I have been experimenting with baked granola bars. I have tried out a lot of okay bars, but they are not quite what I am looking for. So recently I found this French cookbook “Barres de céréales : muesli et granola maison” and I am pretty excited about testing the granola bar recipes in the very near future. Today I tested these un-baked “raw” version of granola bars. I am not a raw foodie and I don’t think that technically the bars qualify as true raw food, because the oats I used are toasted. I guess you could use almond meal instead for a true raw food bar. Well, I adapted the recipe slightly and added a bit of coconut oil and a little water and chose different fruits and nuts. I added goji berries for their vibrant red color and health benefits and cut the bars into heart shapes. Voila, a healthy valentines treat – and when I find the perfect baked granola bar recipe, I promise to share it with you…Happy Valentine’s Day!
Special equipment
Food processor
- 5 1/4 oz / 150 gr dates
- 3 1/2 oz / 100 gr figs
- 1 3/4 oz / 50 gr prunes
- 7 oz / 200 gr mixed nuts & fruits
- 2 3/4 oz / 80 gr oats
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp water, optional
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- pinch of ground ginger
- Mix all the ingredients well in the food processor. Depending on the size of your food processor, you may have to divide the ingredients in 2 portions and blend them one at a time.
- Put the granola dough in a dish covered with parchment paper or waxed paper.
- Flatten and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight, before cutting into bars or shapes.
Yields 9 hearts or 14-16 bars