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Heart-Shaped Almond Coconut Granola Bars

February 9, 2011 By Jennifer 29 Comments

 

Heart-Shaped Almond Coconut Granola Bars (Vegan)

Okay, so I could have made some sugar-filled cookies dipped in chocolate to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, but I didn’t. This plant-strong family needed a healthier version. I was now on a mission to come up with a recipe that would make my family happy and not miss those cookies. We love granola bars around here and making the home-made ones are so easy to do. If you have kids, granola bars are a great kid-friendly recipe for them to help make – it’s fun and easy. Most any combination of ingredients will be yummy and so much better than the store-bought ones. Believe me, once you make your own you will never buy store-bought again.

Heart-Shaped Almond Coconut Granola Bars

I really loved Almond Joys growing up, so I wanted to come up with a granola bar that is reminiscent of that. OH MY GOSH, I think I did it! The whole family really loved these and I swear you will think you are eating something unhealthy (hee hee) they are so good.  They also looked so cute heart-shaped which the kids really loved. Heart-shaped and heart-healthy, I’m loving this recipe. These are even better the next day and they are a very moist, cake-like granola bar.
Heart-Shaped Almond Coconut Granola Bars
I adapted this recipe from Dr. Fuhrman’s Yummy Banana-Oat Bars. I did not put bananas in mine because I didn’t want a granola bar that tasted like bananas this time. Those are great, but I am a little anti-baking with bananas now from perfecting my Banana Bread Recipe.  I sure was obsessed with that one. Try them out and let me know what you think.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
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Heart-shaped Almond Coconut Granola Bars
Author: Jennifer Strohmeyer - Virtually Vegan Mama
Recipe type: Snack
Serves: 12 hearts
 
Ingredients
Equipment needed: 3-inch Metal Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter
  • 3 dates, pitted and chopped
  • ¼ cup almond butter
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ -1 cup unsweetened almond milk (I used 1 cup and it made a very moist, chewy bar)
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 1-2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (depending on how chocolatey you want these)
  • 1 ½ tsp almond extract
  • 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup almonds, chopped
  • 2 cups old fashioned oats (not instant)
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ½ cup mixed raisins and cranberries (you can use any combination of dried fruit you would like here)
Instructions
  1. Cover dates in water and soak for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours.
  2. Drain dates and combine them with almond butter, applesauce, almond milk, cinnamon, cocoa powder, almond and vanilla extract in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to small saucepan and heat on low for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.
  4. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl mix; almonds, oats, coconut, raisins and cranberries. Fold in the almond butter mixture. Place cookie cutter on the parchment lined baking sheet and spoon batter into cookie cutter filling halfway. Press down firmly with your fingers. Gently lift the cookie cutter away from the granola and press down around inside edges to help keep its shape. Reform granola hearts with your fingers if necessary and repeat.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely before eating. These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
3.2.2208
 Heart-Shaped Almond Coconut Granola Bars
Enjoy!
XOXO,
Jen

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Filed Under: Desserts, Snacks Tagged With: dessert, vegan

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Comments

  1. greytveganlife says

    February 9, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    You had me at "Almond Joy". I have all of the ingredients in my pantry . . . hmmm. Btw, I love that plate!

    Reply
  2. Nikki @ The Tolerant Vegan says

    February 10, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Beautiful! I love this healthy V Day option!

    Reply
  3. Carry says

    February 10, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    No doubt – I'm totally making these. Think they'd freeze well if I made a double or triple batch?

    Reply
  4. Virtually Vegan Mama says

    February 10, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    I would think they would. I am making more in the next couple of days, I'll try. Let me know if that works well for you and how the recipe turns out! thanks!

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    February 10, 2011 at 11:43 pm

    These are adorable! I was actually thinking of making heart shaped granola bars for Valentine's day and wondering if they would stay together. Yours look awesome, and delcious :)!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    I'm going to make these sans cocoa and put them in the dehydrator.

    Reply
  7. sarah says

    February 12, 2011 at 5:38 am

    This is a great idea; thanks. I am happy that they kept their shape when baked. Perhaps that is because you used the larger amount of almond milk? Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    February 12, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    thank you for the wonderful recipe! i love the heart shapes too. you have a great blog! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Tamara says

    February 12, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    My mom and I always say that everything tastes better heart-shaped! I totally agree. Just found your blog – my forgetful husband finally gave me the url. I'm a follower now!

    Tamara – TamaraLikeCamera

    Reply
  10. Virtually Vegan Mama says

    February 13, 2011 at 10:28 am

    please let me know how they come out in the dehydrator…I'm ordering one this month!

    Hi Tamara! Thanks for stopping by…you should try The Green Dinosaur for Scarlet!

    Reply
  11. avoir_la_volonte says

    February 13, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    These look great. I love granola…yummmmmm!

    Reply
  12. Melissa says

    February 13, 2011 at 10:29 pm

    These are great! I had an old go to granola bar recipe, but these taste better AND are healthier. I was worried mine wouldn't stay together, but there were no problems. My 4 year old did a lot of the work. Definitely a keeper. Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    February 13, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    Thanks for this healthy kid option!! Just made and worked beautifully!!

    Reply
  14. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    February 15, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    These are beyond adorable. I love them! I always love coming to your blog! I have hit a milestone on my blog and wanted to Thank You for helping me get there.I really appreciated your nice comment on my blog. Thanks Again.

    Reply
  15. Julia says

    January 20, 2012 at 9:21 am

    I just found this post on Foodbuzz and I’m so glad I did!!!
    The idea of using a cookie cutter to shape the bars is genious. I’ve been thinking about baking my own wedding favors and I have to give this method a try.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 20, 2012 at 9:27 am

      thanks…it totally holds together and they are delicious…I’m making a new version for this valentine’s day so check back =)

      thanks for stopping by =)

      Jen

      Reply
  16. Squash Blossom Babies says

    January 20, 2012 at 9:48 am

    This is wonderful! I will be throwing a birthday party for my 2 year old soon and I think you have just given me the best idea!!! Thank you so much!! So glad I found your site! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 20, 2012 at 3:44 pm

      Well…do share when you come up with this creation, you have perked my interest….my son is turning 2 in feb =)

      Jen

      Reply
  17. SamCyn says

    January 20, 2012 at 10:21 am

    These are very cute and sound like something I would definitely enjoy eating 🙂

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 20, 2012 at 3:32 pm

      Let me know if you try them out, I’m going to make a new version for this upcoming Vday =)

      Reply
  18. katierk says

    January 20, 2012 at 11:32 am

    I just saw these on foodbuzz this morning! what a great wholesome granola bar! Just out of curiosity are there any substitutions for date paste?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 20, 2012 at 3:32 pm

      you could always use pure maple syrup, but it won’t be the same consistency..but it would still work =) date paste is super easy to make…you can just buy some dried dates, soak for about 4 hours in water and puree in a blender or cuisinart (add a little of the reserved liquid if too thick)…I use that all the time for sauces, dressing, desserts, smoothies…so yummy =)

      Reply
  19. Lindsay says

    January 20, 2012 at 11:45 am

    Loving these! I made granola bars for my friends last Valentine’s Day, too. See here: http://www.lindsay-meyer.com/delicious/2011/2/14/organic-love.html

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 20, 2012 at 3:28 pm

      Hi Lindsay =)

      Thank you and I just checked yours out and they look absoultely beautiful and delish!! yum!

      Jen

      Reply
  20. Lauren says

    February 10, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    I just made these to take to a kid’s valentine’s party tomorrow. They smell absolutely heavenly while baking and taste delicious once they’re cooled. Yum!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      February 10, 2012 at 4:18 pm

      Awesome! Please let me know what everyone thinks 🙂 I’ve got another version coming this weekend love how well this recipe holds it’s heart shape. Couldnt be happier with this one!

      Xoxo

      Jen

      Reply
  21. Elaine says

    March 1, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    My 3 yr old daughter and I made these last night and they have been a total hit. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      March 1, 2012 at 5:48 pm

      Awesome! So glad you liked these 🙂

      Jen

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Homemade Heart Shaped Granola Bars | Food-Life Balance says:
    February 12, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    […] big thanks to Food Network and Virtually Vegan Mama for the […]

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Jennifer, Welcome to Pure Thyme! This is my recipe blog where I share my love for food that is healthy, simple and delicious. Here is where you will find inspiration to have fun, live well, and find balance in your life!

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