Raw date almond bars with cocoa powder

Couple of days ago I was walking with a friend and came across some raw bars in a supermarket. They inspired me to make this simple recipe because it happened so many times that I spend the entire day outside and get hungry, so my blood sugar gets so low that even after I eat, I need a couple of hours to feel better. I understood that I would always need to carry a snack with me so I can raise my blood sugar immediately when it gets low. Normally I choose something that is easy to carry, like cookies or, already mentioned, raw bars.
Raw bars are usually made of some nut and dates, and then you can add the ingredients you like. The bar I bought was made of cashew and cherries, and I decided to add cocoa to my bars as I wanted them to have mild chocolatey taste. Feel free to add whatever you like, dried cherries, chopped hazelnuts or another nut of choice.
Just put the bars in a small plastic bag  and they are ready to go with you. If you share them with people you love, you will feel even better.

RAW DATE ALMOND BAR WITH COCOA POWDER

Prep time: about 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds
• 20 dates 1 cup
• ¼ shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Put the dates in a food processor and process them until you get a sticky paste similar to caramel.
2. Add the almonds and process until everything is mixed well.
3. Add the shredded coconut and cocoa powder and continue processing until the mixture comes together into a sticky ball.
4. Flatten the mixture inside plastic wrapped baking pan using hands. Make sure it’s even.
5. Place it in the fridge at least half an hour before cutting.

You can decorate these bars with homemade chocolate:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Directions:

1. Melt coconut oil over low heat in a small sauce pan.
2. Add cocoa and stir well.
3. Add maple syrup and stir well.
4. Pour chocolate over each bar and put them in the fridge to chill between 5-10 minutes.

*In case you decorated the bars with homemade chocolate, please note that this chocolate melts quickly at room temperature due to coconut oil. So, in that case, you won’t be able to bring them with you.