Flash in the Pan: Cocoa Nibbles (or, La”Raw” Bar)
May 27, 2008
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“Um, Mum, we are coming with you, aren’t we? Because (and sorry to have to tell you this), we actually have more fans than you do on this blog.”
Sometimes, you just want to eat something now. I’ve decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly, or else is so easy to make that no recipe is required. Here’s today’s “Flash in the Pan.”
(I know, “Cocoa Nibbles” sounds like a children’s breakfast cereal. . . but these are much better!)
Even though I’ve continued to bake a little during this Total Health course I’m taking, I’ve been trying to avoid consuming very much of what I do bake (my colleagues are very happy lately. . . oh, and they appear to have gained some weight). Apart from my tumbling head first off the wagon after I baked those evil PB-Chocolate Chip Cookies, I’ve remained (more or less) on track.
Still, even when you’re eating healthfully, sometimes (okay, all the time) you crave chocolate. These little bites are what I whip up when I’m dying for something that’s part candy, part fudge, and part healthy. Those of you familiar with LaraBars will recognize the ingredient list, but mine are a little smoother than the orignial, with a more intense chocolate flavor. And so easy!
Cocoa Nibbles
TO VIEW THE COMPLETE RECIPE, PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE ON THE NEW DIET, DESSERT AND DOGS, BY CLICKING HERE.
[Get a load of that gorgeous mint garnish!]
TO VIEW THE COMPLETE RECIPE, PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE ON THE NEW DIET, DESSERT AND DOGS, BY CLICKING HERE.
Diet, Dessert and Dogs 
May 27, 2008 at 7:26 am
Sometimes baking takes just far too long!
May 27, 2008 at 7:30 am
Those look scrummy Ricki! You are an amazing source of inspirational ideas, thank you.
May 27, 2008 at 7:47 am
lovely!
May 27, 2008 at 7:54 am
now you have me wondering if I have dates in the pantry – I might have – or maybe I have figs that could be used instead? Will look later! These look much healthier than the cake I baked tonight because I just needed the comfort of chocolate!
May 27, 2008 at 9:14 am
Mmm, those do look good, perfect to satisfy that craving for chocolate that we all (well, at least I know you and me) get! I love the “flash in the pan” series!
May 27, 2008 at 9:20 am
Vivre flash in the pan! Good, fast & pretty – all right! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
May 27, 2008 at 10:15 am
Ahh, yet another fabulous “Flash in the Pan” recipe – LOOOOVE this one, for sure! Yum! :0)
May 27, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I am in total sugar overload right now after consuming waaaaay too many pieces of gluten-free cake this weekend. I have sworn off refined sugar (for probably the day)!
This is the exact recipe I need to make right now, and I have all of the ingredients! Woohoo! Thanks, Ricki!
May 27, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Thank you so much for concocting a recipe that combines THREE of my loves—chocolate, almonds, and the food processor! I’ll be making these soooon!
May 27, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Well, thanks for this delicious idea. I have a few days off this upcoming weekend and I can’t wait to try this!
May 27, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Absolutely delicious.
And just the kind of baking I can do. Shall give them a go today.
And I have everything, right now. That never happens…
May 27, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Oh wow…those look SO good! AND, I was just about to go to the store and buy a bunch of Lara bars to send to my mom. Do these *have* to be stored in the fridge? Do you think they would hold up 2-3 days if I mailed them to her? I know she would get a kick out of “homemade” Lara Bars!
I will be making them either way–they look too delicious to pass up! I would love to share them with my mother, but I am sure they would not go to waste in my apt…!!
Thanks
Courtney
May 27, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Have you tried Clif’s nectar bars? These seem like they might be similar. The nectar bars are soooo good.
May 27, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Oooh this sounds like exactly what I’ve been looking for. Seriously. I can’t wait to try them.
May 27, 2008 at 10:48 pm
wow those look amazing
you have some selfe controll dear.. i dont know how you do it!!!
May 27, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I’ve become obsessed with making Larabars at home recently! My favorite combo right now is walnuts and carob powder with dates. The “cocoa nibbles” name you came up with is too cute — I love it! I use the plastic wrap trick, too, as it keeps your hands nice and clean. Nice mint garnish, too. 🙂
May 28, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Awesome! This is a great recipe for a candy addict like me!
May 28, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Romina,
I know what you mean! And these sort of look like cookies, in the right light. . .
Sue,
Aww, thanks (blush).
Celine,
Thanks!
Johanna,
I tried these once with figs and wasn’t too thrilled with the result–not sweet enough, too many seeds, etc. But maybe it just wasn’t my taste.
Vegan Noodle,
That’s exactly what they do for me–cut that chocolate craving. And at least I don’t have to feel guilty about it 🙂
Shellyfish,
Mais, merci! I have to admit it was the “fast” part that got me 😉
VeggieGirl,
I’m sure they could be made with carob, too 😉
Lizzie,
Hope they helped to overcome the sugar overload (though long weekends really are fun anyway!)
CCV,
Ah, yes, the food processor–hadn’t thought of that! This recipe has your name on it (literally, with the “chocolate” part, actually!!)
Lisa,
Hope you like them! And enjoy that time off. .. .
Lucy,
It’s serendipity telling you to eat chocolate. Lucky you!
Courtney,
I wouldn’t risk 2-3 days if you use the vanilla and/or water in them. At room temps, the extra moisture will allow the mix to begin to ferment, and you wouldn’t be too pleased with the result, I think. But if the dates are dry and you make this without liquid, it should last as well as dates would on their own. And how nice are you to make some for your mum!
magpie,
Thanks for your comment! I’ve actually never heard of that type of cliff bar–we have cliff bars here, but maybe those are a new version? I would love to check them out!
Jenny,
Thanks so much! Do let me know how you like them if you give them a try. 🙂
Vegan on Stage,
Thanks so much for visiting and for commenting! Self control?? Are you kidding??? But these do help, at least 🙂
Ruby Red Vegan,
Thanks so much for your comment and for stopping by! I’ve also played with variations on the theme (some even without chocolate, if you can believe it!). I like the idea of carob and walnuts–will give that one a try (I think almonds may be a bit too dry for carob, which is also pretty dry). And thanks for noticing the mint! 😉
Mihl,
As one candy addict to another, I can vouch for these–they do hit the spot when you need some candy!
May 28, 2008 at 8:51 pm
If I had a dozen really good easy type recipes like this, I would feel like I died and went to heaven. Such a keeper!! Thanks for posting this.
May 30, 2008 at 2:40 pm
You are a genius! I made these with dried apricots instead of dates, and some cinnamon, yum! Thankyou for such an inspiring blog:)
June 3, 2008 at 8:32 pm
These are just perfect! I look forward to your other “flash in the pan” posts.
June 4, 2008 at 9:33 pm
These look sooo good! And maybe a little too easy to make!
June 5, 2008 at 4:19 pm
these look really good, and if they’re easy to whip up, so much the better!
August 26, 2008 at 6:55 am
I just tried this recipe again, but this time with brazil nuts and dates – it tastes like a really unhealthy chocolate cake dough – yum!:D
December 19, 2008 at 9:50 pm
[…] the recipe, see my other blog, Diet, Dessert and Dogs. Posted by Ricki Filed in candies and sweets, dairy free, egg free, fruits, gluten free, grain […]
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