Homemade Cookie Dough Larabars

So I know these aren't pretty pastries, or fancy desserts but I promise they are super easy to make, are a serious hunger killer and taste way better than store bought Larabars. The best part? They literally take all of 10 minutes to put together and there's no baking required. These bars are similar to my cookie dough bites I made for the birthday cake overnight oats but since I had to avoid oats for a while (don't worry I'm back on them!) I was needing a replacement to fight the good old 3 o'clock hunger pains. Make these and pop them in the freezer for a sweet, healthy, satisfying snack!

*I love adding them to banana-cinnamon-almond milk smoothies- it's basically a cookie dough blizzard

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups raw unsalted cashews 

10 medjool dates (depitted)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp dark chocolate chips 

1 tbsp chia seeds

*If your dates are really stiff you may want to soak them in water for 30 minutes before processing, this will however make your bars less stiff

1. Blend the cashews in a food processor (aka my trusty magic bullet) for a few seconds- I like leaving a few chunks
2. Add in the salt, dates and vanilla extract and blend again until incorporated (if not blending well add a teaspoon of water)
3. Stir in chocolate chips and chia seeds
4. Using a spatula remove from processor and flatten dough on a wax paper lined baking sheet or pan (about 1/4 inch thick), use your hands to press down and pack so evenly distributed *you can also roll in balls for energy bites
5. Place another piece of wax paper on top to flatten and shape into a large square or rectangle 
6. Freeze for at least 1 hour
7. Cut into bars (I keep mine in the freezer for up to a week… if they last that long)

recipe adapted from Oh She Glows