Happy New Year, friends! How did your night end? Did you get to enjoy a cocktail or two? We hope it was memorable.
I suppose since it’s the mark of a new year, we should ask if you have any resolutions yet? Besides knocking out a print cookbook (!!!) I don’t think we have anything set in stone. But, I can never shake the idea of January being a “blank slate” month for my diet.
If you’re like us, the new year always seems like a good time to reconsider eating habits.
So we decided to make you a little gift.
Today we’re not only sharing a new recipe, but we’re also releasing our new and improved Detox Guide!
The best part? We’re giving it away for FREE to email subscribers!
We use the term “detox” loosely. Our ideal of a good detox is just filling up on whole foods. Our new Detox Guide is 15 recipes from the blog, but repurposed in a meaningful and easy-to-digest (ha!) format with the goal of helping you detox from all that holiday, end-of-year goodness.
Every meal and recipe is nutritious, vegan and gluten free. Sounds like the perfect reset button for your diet.
Ready to check it out? Just sign up for our email list – if you haven’t already – and see what’s inside! We promise you’ll love it. And if you’re already a subscriber, it should be sitting in your inbox now!
To kick off the launch of this guide, we’re sharing this recipe for naturally-sweetened Apple Pie Date Bars that are seriously reminiscent of Larabar’s Apple Pie flavor (second only to their peanut butter flavor).
I shared a version of these bars in our first Detox Guide, but have since reworked and seriously improved them for those of you who missed out. Consider these little gems everything you’re looking for to fit into your busy lifestyle this year: Simple, healthy, natural, fiber- and protein-rich, and perfect as a snack or on-the-go breakfast.
Without further ado, get your download by subscribing to our email list! Treat this Detox Guide as a little gift from us to you to thank you for all the love you showed us in 2014. Happy eating, friends!
Apple Pie Date Bars
Ingredients
- 1 small apple (cored, peeled and chopped // sweet or tart is fine)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 13-14 whole dates (pitted* // 13-14 dates yield ~2/3 cup packed)
- 1 cup raw or roasted almonds
- 1 cup raw or roasted walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C).
- Place chopped apple on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and sea salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until soft and fragrant. Set aside.
- In a food processor, grind nuts into a meal - a few chunkier pieces are OK. Then add dates and pulse until a loose dough is formed. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl.
- Give the baked apples another chop with a sharp knife so the pieces aren’t so large. Slowly add apples a few Tbsp at a time until the mixture forms a moist dough. If your mixture got too wet, simply add more ground walnuts, almonds, or even a handful oats. Reserve leftover apples for other use (oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, etc.)
- Transfer mixture to parchment-lined loaf pan and spread evenly with a spoon or spatula. Top with plastic wrap and use fingers to press it firmly into all corners until uniformly flat on top. For extra thickness, cram the mixture into 3/4 of the pan and reserve a blank space. This will make less bars, but they will be much thicker. Cover and freeze to set.
- Chop into desired number of bars - anywhere from 4-8 (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
- To store, pack in a bag or container and place a piece of parchment between each bar so they don’t stick together. l keep mine in the freezer to stay fresher longer, but the refrigerator is fine, too.
- If you’re traveling, they should be fine for a day or so. But keep them refrigerated or frozen otherwise.
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Elodie says
Hi! I would be so grateful for your guidance because i have followed all the steps provided in the recipe, and i’ve had the bars in the freezer for 5 full days now… I have been checking how its been doing every day to see “improvement” but the consistency is still very much a dought… even just after being out of the freezer after 10min (and believe me, they are still very much cold and frozen – not edible). The taste is delicious though, so please do provide guidance on how to make them from dought/soft/jam-like to proper bars consistency!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Elodie, we would recommend adding more nuts to see if that helps them firm up.
Sima Bennett says
Would you please provide the weights of the dates, almonds and walnuts. I have a feeling that my proportions were incorrect. Even after freezing for a while the bars were very oily and soft from the ground nuts. Love this combo, so I’d like to get it right. Thank you!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Sima, if you click “metric” above the instructions header, it will show the weight measurements. Hope that helps!
Lara Juriansz says
Hi, Thank you for the recipe.
Just wondering if you have any suggestions on how these might set? I placed them in the freezer overnight and cut them into individual bars, however once placed back in the fridge the texture has returned back to a dough like consistency. Would greatly appreciate any suggestions!
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Lara, these do have a more tender texture, so if you are looking to keep them more firm, it is best to store in the freezer. Hope that helps!
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Ashley says
Hi! This was a lovely recipe, thank you! It took me 40 min to make (and I’m not a professional cook by any stretch of the imagination) giving them as gifts tonight at a Christmas party!! Thanks!
Benedetta Olivato says
Hi! I would love this guide! I signed up for the email but the link didn’t work. Can you send it to me?
Support @ Minimalist Baker says
Hi Benedetta! If you could send us an email to support@minimalistbaker.com we’d be happy to help you!
Chels says
Your website is a go-to for me, and this recipe is one of my favorites so far – thanks!
Amy says
You never say what to do with the other 1/2 tsp if cinnamin?
Amy says
Oops I just saw your reply regarding the cinnamin, oh well next batch lol! I’m sure they will still be yummy!
Also how long to set in the freezer?
Thank you!
Nina says
These look great however I’d like my son to eat them but he is allergic to nuts, what could be a suitable substitute? Thanks
Fonda says
Hi!
How long do I need to drink the Berrie Detox Shake as a Vegan Beginner and do I need to count calories or not daily?
Thanks!
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hannah says
This was so good! I made the recipe today, and I wish I made more! The batter was sooo good!! Makes the house smell great!
Sarah says
Hi! I would love this guide! I signed up for the email but the link didn’t work. Can you send it to me?
Vanessa Smed says
Just making these now! Excited to see how they turn out, and hoping for the best as they’ll be going into guests’ mouths :)
I’ve read and re-read the recipe, but don’t see where I’m to add the 1/2 tsp cinnamon. The 1/4 tsp went on the baking apples, but I’m not sure about the 1/2 tsp portion. Help me out? Maybe I just need some new glasses :)
thanks,
always love your recipes!!!
Ah! Just add it to the date mixture. But really, you can add it anytime, just as long as it makes it in the mix! Thanks Vanessa!
Brigid says
These are delicious. Essential to satisfy my sweet junk cravings! They’re similar to raw date sweets I like to make. I use a bit more date (pre-blended pure date paste from the local halal store) mixed with nuts and sometimes orange zest or even cocoa powder if I want them chocolatey, then shaped into balls and rolled in coconut or more ground nuts. Vegan truffles!
Crystal says
Hi!
I have a question about the recipe that perhaps is obvious to ask but me: In step 4, what exactly is being done with the baked some chunks? Are they to be sort of smashed into the date and nut mixture in the mixing bowl?
Want to try making these today and want to make sure to get it right. :-)
Thanks for another exciting recipe to try! I’ve made lots of things from your blog and have yet to be disappointed!
Crystal says
PS–“some chunks” was supposed to be “apple chunks”. Oh that autocorrect!
Kırmadan Su Kaçağı Tespiti says
mmmm I love recipes with dates! This looks so yummy :)
Brooke says
Hi,
I am a subscriber and did not receive the link to the detox ebook. Can you please resend?
Thank you!
Hi Brooke,
Did you get the most recent update (the Grapefruit Green Smoothie)? There was a link added to the top of that email as well that should work.
Brooke says
Yes I did, I see it now! Thank you so much!
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] says
YUM! Sign me up for anything that incorporates dates…I love those little buggers! Pinned!
Jessica says
I also did not get it sent to me. Would love to have it if possible! Thanks
Hi Jessica,
Did you get the most recent update (the Grapefruit Green Smoothie)? There was a link added to the top of that email as well that should work.
Karina says
Hi!
Can’t wait to try the apple pie date bars. I am an email subscriber and I cannot access the detox guide either. :( The link in the email just takes me to the date bar recipe on your website. Please send me the link too!
thanks,
Karina
Hi Karina,
Did you get the most recent update (the Grapefruit Green Smoothie)? There was a link added to the top of that email as well that should work.
Jessica says
Hello there,
I can’t seem to find the detox guide – if you could resend me the link I would really appreciate it!
Thank you,
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Did you get the most recent update (the Grapefruit Green Smoothie)? There was a link added to the top of that email as well that should work.
Taylor says
Wow these are amazing! I love the addition of the baked apples–really makes these different from other date and nut bars.
Pauleta H says
I received an email telling about the Detox, but there isn’t a link. I also tried to re-up on the email list, but it tells me that I am already registered. Have I missed the chance to download this?
Hi Pauleta,
Did you get the most recent update (the Grapefruit Green Smoothie)? There was a link added to the top of that email as well that should work.
Marilyn says
Hello, I tried to get the new detox book on Friday, but was not able to get it; I waited until today and still cannot get the download of either the first of newest detox book. I added you to my contact list and have tried several times. My email address is in your subscriber list, as it will not let me enter it again when I try. What do you suggest? Looking forward to receiving the book! Thank you.
Hi Marilyn,
Did you get a link at the top of the last recipe update (the Grapefruit Green smoothie)? That should work for downloading the guide.
Gislane says
Hi :) Where do I sign up for the e-mail list? I can’t find it..
Hi Gislane,
You can sign up at the bottom of the post or in the sidebar!
Gislane says
Thanks! I just found out that it only appears on the mobile-version (for me).
Sarah says
I also did not receive the email with the detox guide and would love to check it out. Could you send it to me? Love this blog!
Hi Sarah,
There was a link sent at the top of the last recipe update. Can you see if that works?
Andrea says
Hi, I’m already an e-mail subscriber, but can’t find the link to download the guide. Could you please send again? Thanks!
Hi Andrea,
There was a link sent at the top of the last recipe update. Can you see if that works?
Monica says
Can’t get the ebook
Alex @ get big, go to work says
I made these Apple pie date bars last night so I could send my sister back home with a snack for her long train ride! So easy to make. I also let my fiancé taste test for me and he seriously raved about the bars and kept asking what was in them. He never raves about stuff I make so I knew I had a kick butt recipe to give my sister when he went on and on! Thanks for all the delicious food that you make and share with the rest of us! I love trying your recipes!
Andrea says
Thanks for another great recipe. And your photos are always beautiful!
Alice-Anne says
I’m an email subscriber and would like the link, too. Thanks
Just sent it again!
Cherry says
Hi, love your website and signed up to receive the detox guide but never received it in my email. Could you please tell me how to get it?
Thanks!
Cherry
Just sent it again!
Marika says
Hi, the link I was sent won’t open. Please resend! Thanks
Just sent it again!
Vicky White says
Hi, I’m having the same issue – got the email with the recipe but no detox book link. I’ve checked my spam filter and looked everywhere. Could you send me the ebook too please – I love your recipes, I’m sure this will be great. Thanks.
Just sent it again!
Stephanie Pritchett says
Same issue for me :( I got the email and I’m a regular subscriber. The link brings me to the Apple bar recipe…. can’t figure out how to get the ebook.
Stephanie Pritchett says
User error, I found it! I thought it was in the same email as the Apple Pie bars. Just found the separate email. Thanks for the ebook, love it already and have tagged three things I want to make tomorrow!
Kiersten says
Hi there! I also have not received the link for the detox guide and I am a current subscriber. I tried checking my spam also but no luck :(
Kiersten says
(I received the email for the Apple Pie Date Bars recipe and announcement about the Detox guide yesterday but I am not able to pull up the detox guide itself, it just takes me to the recipe for the bars on the blog.)
Just sent you a new copy!
Kiersten says
I got it! Thank you so much :)
Valerie Lee says
Not in my spam folder- please resend. Thanks
Just sent a new copy!
Fred says
John would you be so kind to re-forward the link to me, please.
Sure! It’s on its way.
Uzz says
Hi. I’m having trouble getting the ebook also. I’m signed up, regularly receive emails got the email with the apple pie date bars but can’t find the download link anywhere. I tried to sign up again in case it was wrong but I’m already signed up. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Just sent a new copy!
Edna Siu says
Hi, Dana and John,
Happy New Year!
A joyful and fruitful year.
Thank you so much for the New Year gift, it is lovely and lots of nice recipes and the photos are very attractive to a more healthy sense of daily diets.
I
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
So sweet of you to make that guide! And I love these bars!
Lisa Ader says
I received the email but it is without a link to the ebook.
Thanks.
If you were already on our list, you should’ve received a link to the book last night. If you can’t find it, possibly check your spam folder.
Fotis says
Hi John,
I have same problem as Lisa, got the e-mail, but there is no separate e-mail with a link to the e-book, checked Spam folder as instructed, but there is nothing :(
Please advise how to proceed.
Thank you for your time and efforts.
Just sent you a copy!
Valerie Lee says
I did receive an email but can’t find the link to the ebook
Valerie Lee says
I just received the link to this post
If you were already on our email list last night, you should’ve received a link to the book in a separate email. If you can’t find it, possibly check your spam folder.
meg says
I’m looking forward to checking this out – but as an existing subscriber I’m having trouble figuring out how to access the free e-book. Thanks!
Meg, you should’ve gotten an email early this morning with a link to the download. If you didn’t, check your spam folder just in case! Let us know if you still can’t find it and we’ll happily resend it.
Nik says
I’m already a subscriber and can’t find it in my inbox, not in my junk either :(
Incredibly excited for the cookbook to come out
Linda says
I also had trouble trying to find the link to download the free detox book. I would really like to have it, and would appreciate it if you could resend me the link. Thanks
ola says
Can you give nutritional facts?
lisa valinsky says
Love the look of this ebook! Your photos are gorgeous and the recipes sound delicious, plus I love how professional it looks.
What program(s) did you make to use this?
abby - www.littlecityadventures.com says
mmmm I love recipes with dates! This looks so yummy :)
Millie | Add A Little says
Looks wonderful and looking forward to checking out the detox ebook! :)
Kerry @ Kerry Cooks says
These bars look delicious! Totally agree re January being a reset button for your diet. Although of course that’s not to say a bit of sweetness won’t sneak in!