Dates are my very good friends during the Daniel Fast, and this is another recipe where their sweetness shines. My date-sweetened granola is a great option for breakfast, whether served with fresh fruit and almond milk, or as the topper for a smoothie bowl. It also makes a satisfying snack whenever you’re craving carbs and crunch! Continue reading
Pumpkin spice season is upon us! If you adore this flavor combination like I do, you’re going to love my pumpkin spice quinoa. This wholesome breakfast will satisfy your pumpkin spice cravings so you can resist the temptation of a sugar- and chemical-laden latte.
By now we’ve all heard how terrible McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes are for you. They’re loaded with fat, calories, sugar and artificial ingredients. I’ll spare you the disturbing details since they are exactly what we’ve come to expect from America’s top fast food chain.
If you’re a fan of the Shamrock Shake, but you’re participating in the Daniel Fast — or maybe you’re just trying to watch what you eat — I’ve got a tasty alternative for you. My dairy free version starts with a base of coconut milk, and it’s sweetened with dates. Most of the flavor is derived from extracts, and the green hue comes from a handful of spinach.
It’s hard to believe just two simple ingredients are all it takes to create this delicious snack bar. Now, I’ve seen a lot of “2-ingredient” recipes on Pinterest, but most of them involve a boxed cake mix or a can of refrigerated dough or some other processed food item. I realize those recipes are more about convenience than anything else, but it seems a little misleading to say something has two ingredients when, in reality, that number is closer to 10 or 20.
These peanut butter cookie bars truly do have just two wholesome ingredients: dates and peanuts. Add them to a food processor or high-powered blender and pulse until the dates are broken down and there are just small chunks of peanuts. The mixture can’t be too crumbly because it needs to stick together when pressed into a pan, but you don’t want to process it so much that it turns into peanut butter.
If you’ve ever eaten a Larabar, you’ll notice these are very similar, although I think the homemade ones are much tastier. I used an 9×5 loaf pan, which yields five full-size bars. A larger pan will result in thinner bars that are more likely to fall apart.
Yield: 5 bars
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Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
These bars freeze well, so you may want to double the recipe and save some for later!
https://danielfastfoodie.com/2-ingredient-peanut-butter-cookie-bars
If I asked you to name a sweet, delectable treat, dates probably wouldn’t be the first thing (or the fifteenth) to come to mind. After all, they look like this:
Shriveled and brown, they don’t exactly scream, “Eat me!” But hear me out: While dates may not be the most beautiful fruit, they are one of the sweetest.
You might be surprised to know that Medjool dates (the ones pictured above) are actually a fresh fruit. They’re widely available during the holiday season, and you can find them in the produce section. Medjool dates are bigger, softer and sweeter than the dried variety on the shelf next to the raisins.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably mention that one serving (just two dates) contains 30 grams of sugar. That’s as much as a pack of M&Ms. BUT, unlike your favorite vending machine snack, dates have 16 vitamins and minerals, with high levels of potassium and magnesium. They’re also high in fiber, making them an excellent source of energy without the crash.
Date caramel is a must-have for me during the Daniel Fast. It’s delicious as a fruit dip and can also be used in recipes that require a hint of sweetness. Just be sure to remove the pits first. If you forget this step, the result will be inedible. Trust me. I learned the hard way.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
If you are using dried dates, you will need to increase the soaking time to at least 40 minutes.
