Cashew Cookie Larabars
It all started with the Hot Chocolate Fudge Babies.
I love them. You love them. Everyone loves them. And so the time is ripe to introduce another flavor: cashew cookie. I initially created these to be a replica of the Cashew Cookie Larabars. However, this homemade version ended up tasting so much better than the packaged bars! I might even like them more than the chocolate version.
Yikes. Wait, you didn’t hear me say that!
Cashew Cookie Babies
(Yields 110 grams, which is a bit more than the size of two Larabars)
- 30 grams unsalted cashews (1/4c)
- 80 grams dates, which is a scant 2/3c (I use SunMaid)
- Optional: a drop or two of good-quality vanilla extract (I use about 1/8 tsp)
- Optional: a tiny sprinkle of salt
Blend in your food processor (I use the Magic Bullet short cup). Enjoy!
(Just like with the Hot Chocolate Fudge Babies, you can opt to make bars or balls or even cookie cutter-ed shapes.)
Variations
- Add cinnamon and raisins = Spice Babies
- Use peanuts in place of the cashews, and add dried banana = Elvis Babies
- Peppermint extract + cocoa + cacao nibs = Thin Mint Babies
- Throw in some coffee powder = Frappuccino Babies
- Roll in cinnamon sugar = Cinnabon Babies (or Snickerdoodle Babies)
Click to see all of my Homemade Larabar Recipes.
{ 85 comments… read them below or add one }
I love adding salt…it does bring out that touch of flavor.
I do not think you need to apologize about what you write about…i enjoy everything you write about!
you really don’t need to apologize! this is your blog and all of us readers will love you and your blog no matter what!
you know what you neeeeed to try…grinding up your own cinnamon..tastes sooooo fresh and spicy. mmm. As I’ve been reading you can even do it in the bullet with that flatter blade
love making homemade larabars! yet to make a cashew cookie one, but i’ve made a hazelnut one, and my own pbj one with dried cherries, dates, and peanuts! they turned out good, but didnt look as amazing as that one! 2x as big as a regular lara, i am in lol
larabar should make jumbo laras lol 
and that apple, yes i used to put salt on apples as well, totally brings out flavors and with cinnamon YUM salty and sweet…but my stupid/a bit crazzy ED sodium fear has resulted in me not putting salt on anything, but i need to get over this silly fear and have an apple with salt lol.,..b/c it is so good
love you girly
xx
Eliza
Looking at this post makes me sad that I don’t have a blender! The bar look so yummy~
I made some pumpkin babies – SO DELICIOUS! Only change – I added some oats to even out the moistness of the pumpkin. They tasted like cookie dough!
I have begun to enjoy cinnamon and apples. Just seems so wintery. Write what you want to write sister it’s your blog!
I’m so happy to know that you put salt on apples too! I thought I was a weirdo, haha. I like mine with coarse sea salt for an extra crunchy snack.
And I don’t salt just apples. 
Don’t feel sorry about writing anything! This is YOUR blog, after all, and it’s not like these babies are offensive or anything… *drool*
Yum for homemade Lara bars! The sweet Robyn from Girl on Raw just got back from overseas and brought me a huge sampling of my first every Larabars. They are delicious and so handy for a quick snack on the go, and my husband really likes keeping some in his office at work. But they don’t carry them here! So, as soon as our stash runs out I’ll have to start making them at home. Thanks for the recipe Katie!
And YES, salt is such a key ingredient. It goes into all of my sweet desserts and baked goods. It makes everything POP!
Why “Hello Handsome” is right! YUMMMMYYY
Looks great Katie!
The giveaway is posted in my post this morning
This is seriously a fab giveaway girl.
Have a very happy Sunday!
salt sounds so strange but it really makes a recipe — sometimes I add a pinch in to my oats for some extra zinnnnng.
I wonder if this recipe would work in my magic bullet?! hmmmmm **experiment time**
have a glorious sunday sweet thaaang! <3
Katie…everything looks so yum-tastic! oh my goodness! Sliced apples with cinnamon is my favorite snack at the moment! I also add a bit of mesquite too. Ive never tried it with salt though! Thats interesting, I’ll give that a shot this afternoon. And Elvis babies? oh gosh sound so amazing. Thanks for sharing all these awesome flavors!
Those look just like the homemade Larabars I posted on my blog!
I just love these recipes of yours!
Unfortunately, I only have pistachios at my apartment at the moment, so no fudge babies for me tonight
On my way to make these right now!!
Dont apologize.. I love your posts!!! These look fabulous
Nutty minds think alike! I was at the store this week looking at what Larabars to get (had some awesome coupons AND they were on sale!) … read the ingredients on the cashew cookie and felt almost insulted … JUST cashews and dates, I should make this at home, I thought … and here they are!
I loooove sprinkling a little sea salt on my apple. I always thought I was so weird, but now I feel less alone!
Well that’s something we have in common – I’m a cinnamon fiend! Because of this, I wanted to see if you knew (and let you know if you didn’t) that Saigon cinnamon is probably not actually cinnamon! It’s most likely Cassia, which is a related species, and many people can’t tell the difference. Cassia is cheaper – a plus – but it also has higher levels of a toxic chemical called coumarin, which is negligible in the real stuff. Coumarin is pretty harmless usually, but when you make oatmeal, apples, or other cinnamon-y things and are liberal with the Cassia (like I was), it could damage your liver and kidneys!
The real stuff is from Ceylon, and labels will brag about it, saying either “Ceylon” cinnamon or “true cinnamon.”
As for the taste – Like you, I can definitely tell the difference between types of cinnamon, and I much prefer the true cinnamon! It’s “softer” and sweeter, but still has the spicy bite that I love.
Again, I don’t know if this makes a difference to you. The Saigon cinnamon is probably the best you can get in terms of Cassia, because of its high levels of essential oils (thus the great taste). But, if you use it liberally and regularly, or if you have a sensitivity to Cassia, you might want to consider the Ceylon instead. Though as something of an aficionado/fiend, I’d recommend the Ceylon anyway!
Those look and sound amazing. I’ve never had a Larabar, we don’t have them here. Might make these soon!
The apples look tasty. I’ll take your word on the salt, but it did make me want something salty.
I love adding salt to sweet things! It brings out so much flavor. Mmm.
Well, almost apology not accepted. We love you anyway and always CCK
what a delicious snack! I cannot wait to have my own kitchen and go to town with larabar creations. So much more economical, and tasty I’m sure!
i made my first chocolate covered katie fudge babies today! the only change i made from your recipe was using pistachios (b/c i had them on hand)…
they were SO good!!
thanks for all your tips and recipes… perfect for curing that little need for chocolate that tugs at my tummy now and then!
Great post and in a few hours I am posting my version of the fudge babies with plenty of link backs and honorable mentions. I hope I do you proud
xooxo
I LOVE cinnamon! I used to make date/nut balls but haven’t done it for a while. Yours looks just like a lara bar! I’ve never made them fudgy though–must try!
The whole salt thing sounds interesting! I love salting watermelon, brings out the sugar I think!! Loveee!
Great recipe, as usual
<3 jess
xoxo
way to stick up for yourself Katie! and cinnamon is my absolute favorite ingredient and i put it on whatever i can (appealing to my taste buds that is
i love ALL your posts, love
adding a touch of salt? BRILLIANT! i must try. cinnamon + apples is PURE love.
adding a touch of cloves is beautiful, too
Hmm, I wonder if I added some dried tart cherries if this would taste like a Cherry Pie Larabar? (my fav!)
My dad has always salted his apples as well as his watermelon. I used to think it was strange, but now I love it too. Dads are smart, huh?
You’re right–just write about what you want to write about. It’s your blog, girl, and I will love it no matter what you post…well, maybe not if you start bashing broccoli:)
I love it when you provide variations–it’s like 7 recipes in one!
those look awesome, Katie!
Don’t apologize for writing about your Fudge Baby Fabulousness!!!!
And that homemade larabar looks DELISH!!!
*smiles*
Michele
Oooh I’m so all over anything THIN MINT! And perhaps I’ll do a carob baby?! Oh the excitement!
I can see how salt might be good on apples. I’ll test it out next time!
A little salt IS very nice on apples, isn’t it? Cinnamon sounds like a very good idea. Mm, the homemade larabars look delicous!
I completely understand where you are coming from about the ‘wanting to please your readers’…sometimes I want to write about stuff that gets me down or my struggles with food, etc – but I’m afraid it’ll be too negative or people will get sick of it…but then I think I’m only being ‘true’ to myself and real – and I’m not writing about it everyday…and like you said ,it’s my Blog and if noone reads it then oh well – at least I got it off my chest…
Although the goal is to become a writer and get noticed by some fabulous magazine…so if you have connections let me know
Love the cinnamon apples!
I didn’t get to make fudge babies this weekend Katie!!
I got too busy, but I hear my magic bullet calling my name and see the ingredients all sitting there–I must get around to it this week. Fingers crossed for not alot of homework!
I’ve never had the cashew cookie Larabars. Do they taste as fresh as making your own? I’m kinda hooked on the fudge babies and all their variations…they are way better than any bar I’ve tried!
TOTALLY genius! Will make this soon
I have to agree, cashew cookie is one of the best larabar flavors. the chocolate coconut one is pretty darn good, too, though
you are a genius. love it – and i just wrote you back! sorry it took so long
Ooh…Snickerdoodle Babies?! Great idea, Katie! In fact, you’ve inspired me to spend some quality time with my blender today, and I’m happy to say that I think I created something prettttty reminiscent of Key Lime Pie…
I used the same ratio of dates to nuts as you suggest in this post, but I mixed cashews with almonds for some extra flavah. Then, I added 15g or so of shredded coconut, a tiny splash of vanilla extract, juice of 1/2 a lime, and…this is KEY (hehe)…I used my Microplane to shred up about a teaspoon of lime rind. The result was tangy, sweet, and SOOOO GOOD!! (not to mention sooo easy & economical!)
Thanks for posting this. In my quest to go vegan, I have been concerned about giving up milk chocolate. I have been doing all right with it, but the information here gives me some ideas of some chocolate to try.
It’s good to know you can whip those up in the Magic Bullet – no need for heavy equipment! I’m thinking PB&J babies would be excellent, with some dried raspberries? Take that PB & J Larabar!
These are the first thing I’d make in my vitamix! I’ve whipped up a couple batches before and they’re heavenlyyyy
This is definitely the first thing I would make in my Vita-mix if I were to win it!
I tried making my own Cashew Cookie Larabar with cashews, dates, and vanilla powder, but ultimately failed. My mini food processor (college student here) just chopped it all up into big chunks despite my best efforts.
The vanilla powder made the mix extremely delicious, though, so I just ate it as crumbles. Mmmmm. I’ll have to try adding salt!
this is definitely the first thing i would make with a vitamix as a cashew cookie larabar addict…
this is what i would love to make in the vitamix if i won!! cashew cookie larabars are seriously my favoriteee <3 thanks!!
The first thing I would make in my Vita-Mix is Banana Soft Serve!!! And I would top it with Almond butter. And obviously I would make fudge babies!!
These sound amazing!
If I were to win the Vitamix I’d be so thrilled I’d make margaritas to celebrate!
I would DEFINITELY have this be the first thing I make in the Vitamixer.
Cashews and vanilla flavoring= best thing ever <3
Do I here a YUM here?
These sound delicious – yumm!
These cashew cookie larabars/babies look so good! If I won the VitaMix, I would go wild with it….. I don’t think I can choose just one thing to make, but perhaps…. these babies!
These sound wonderful! I’d definitely make a version of them with cinnamon and raisins if I had a Vitamix. My current blender can only really handle liquids, unfortunately.
Yumm!! Love this!
I’d love to make this and then make other larabar like fudge babies in a vitamix! I’ve got a tiny little blender that can only really do smoothies (and struggles at that) so the vitamix would dramatically change what I eat!
The first thing I would make in a new Vita-Mix is a green smoothie. Probably Banana, Spinach, Almond Milk, Cinamon and maybe Cocao powder. Not too exciting, but a great breakfast for sure.
the first thing i would make in the vitamix is butternut squash soup.
I would like to make these larabar fudge babies in my new vitamix! And all of the other babies, too!
I love making cashew butter pie, so I would love to try these out in the vita mix! Yum!
The first thing I would make in my Vitamix is these babies, followed by some other yummy dessert recipes by Ani Phyo!
I would make these fudge babies in my vitamix
If I had a vitamix I could finally make a really good green smootie.
(2nd post- I also posted on the main fudge baby page. Not trying to cheat, just wasn’t sure where to post)… “Wow, Katie these all sound so good. It’s hard to just pick one. I guess I would first try the cashew cookie larabar w/ the thin mint variation in my new vitamix.”
Cinnabon Babies!!! Brilliant, Katie!
If I had a Vitamix I would make a smoothie that included the kinds of fruits and greens my regular blender can’t handle–apples and pears and kale and carrots, oh my! I get so jealous when I see people making smoothies and they’re just dumping all those things in their Vitamix and in 30 seconds they’ve got totally liquified yumminess.
In the meantime… Cinnabon Babies. I must try these. These would be the perfect snack to pack when traveling by airplane. Those darn airport Cinnabons always smell so good…
Genius Lady you are!!!! And being a fellow cashew and date lover myself, well I’m so anxious to make some Cashew Cookie Babies. You know I sometimes nibble dates side by side with cashews…never thought of putting them together in a bar. Love it!!!
Yum! I want to make the Cashew Cookie baby.
The first thing I’d make in my vita mix is a peach sorbet.
These are the best babies, hands down.
I’d harness the magical powers of my VitaMix to make a blended soup that I can heat up as I’m blending it. Magic!
Hi, Katie,
The first thing I would make in my Vita-Mix is a healthy green smoothie for myself & my husband to share.
i’d make my own nut butter, just b/c the vitamix is powerful enough to do it!
hmmm I don’t even know what I would make first! I was at Costco the other day and I guy was there demonstrating the Vitamix, I seriously stood there in awe for about a half an hour. He made some seriously awesome ice cream smoothie thing. I think my first bet would be soup though because I am dying to try since you can actually heat the soup with just the blender!
Can’t wait to try this recipe! The first thing I’d make in the vit-a-mix would be my own cashew nut butter, which I can’t get in a grocery store within a 60 mile radius!
YUM for cashew cookie bars! The first thing I would make with a vitamix is my first ever almond butter!
These things changed my life. They taste exactly like cookie dough. Thank you CCK.
I have a gluten and dairy sensitivity and am totally disgusted by the $$$ of eating within my diet restrictions. I’ve tried other recipes but none of them turned out. I was extremely frustrated when I came across your site. I have to admit that I was skeptical that these bars were as good as you said. My 18 month old, my husband and I loved them!! Thank you so much for sharing, you are a life saver!
Wow, thank YOU for such a kind comment, Jessica! It really made me smile
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Would you use instant coffee powder or any coffee would work?
Hi Li!
I’m not sure… I’ve never tried it with anything other than instant (which works well). But if you do, let me knoow how it goes!
I did this today and it turned out like a crumble topping. It wouldn’t stay together. Not sure if it was because my dates were in the frig. Any suggestions!! It tasted great though!!
Yup, probably because they were from the fridge. Leave them out (for at least a day) so they’re not cold. They’ll be softer
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Hi, Katie! I made some of these and they are incredible! Question: I made a weeks worth of bars at once, but wanted to know the best way to store them (refrigerated or not), or does it matter. Is a week too long?
P.S. Your blog is my new favorite website. I’m addicted and plan on trying LOTS more of your recipes.
Awwwww!!!! Candace, you made my day
. I usually put mine in the fridge or freezer after a couple of days, but I think a week should be perfectly fine to leave them out. After all, they’re just nuts and dried fruit, both of which can stay out (unfridged) on their own.
Omg! Just made these and added 1/4 cup unsweetended shredded coconut, they are amazing!!!!
Ok, I am completely addicted to these. I’m on a low carb diet till Christmas….3 days in. I came across this recipe. I made them last night. I can’t stop eating them. Yes, I know, not good. While they don’t have added sugar, the dates are full of natural sugar. However, I refuse to feel guilty. I just can’t believe how good these taste to me. As someone else said, the salt makes it perfect. I used walnuts and while walnuts make my mouth hurt if I eat them plain, no pain in this mixture!
Thanks for your blog. I think you have a pretty unique corner on the recipe market. I love all the vegan, raw, and gluten free stuff. Anyway, you made these next 26 days bearable. 
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