Chocolate-Cranberry 'LARA' Snack Bars, Squared

Little chunks of love and goodness

I feel like we spend a FORTUNE on bars in this household.  No I don't just feel it, I know it!  My middle child could sustain herself entirely on bars of almost any form.  Around here, some of our favorites are KIND bars and Larabars.  At $1.20-1.79 a pop, that  is pretty pricey!!!  So when I came upon this recipe, I just HAD to try it.  I knew it would save me money, but unless it was delicious, who cares?!  Well, not only are these a 'knock out of the ball park' fabulous, they are easy to make too!  I think two things really set these apart and take them above and WAY beyond Larabars (hence the word 'squared' in the title): the toasted nuts and the dark chocolate flavor!!  These are also much more moist than the original too.  I wrapped my individual portions in waxed paper and stored them in the freezer....not that they will last long.  My girls thought they were brownies....really!  They do hint at dark chocolaty brownie goodness, so if you're like my girls, you'll think you're having a dessert!  I slightly tweaked a recipe I found on Elana's Pantry.  This recipe is practically begging for tweaks and personalizing: change out the dried fruit, change the nuts, add in different goodies, have fun with it!

Makes 12 servings, depending on how you cut them (about 262 calories per bar, no honey/agave)

2 ¼ cups pecans, lightly toasted (300 degree oven, spread out on a cookie sheet, for about 10 minutes, you'll smell them.  careful not to burn, it will happen quick!)
¼ cup cacao powder (unsweetened & high quality...makes a big difference in the taste here, I love Dagoba)
15 large Medjool dates, pitted (available at Trader Joe's now too, and most bulk food sections), or about 8-9 oz.  NOTE: don't use other date varieties...these are the Cadillacs of the date world, much softer and more caramel flavors than other varieties. 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey (optional, I only use this if I need more moisture to get the bars to press together, but usually, this is not necessary, only if my dates are exceptionally dry)
½ cup dried cranberries 

Optional Add In's: coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips, any dried fruit

Blend pecans and cacao powder in food processor until combined and coarsely ground. Add in dates and process until blended into dry ingredients, this might take a minute! Process in vanilla and agave until well combined.  Add dried cranberries, pulsing a few times to mix (you could also do this by hand, but I am lazy!) Press mixture into an 8x8 inch dish. Freeze for 1 hour, or until firm, then cut into 16 squares

This was shared on Wellness Weekend,  Sugar Free Sundays,  Monday Mania,  Make Ahead Monday, Lunchbox Love,