Simple Pecan, Coconut & Date Bars

by Bill and Aby Brooks, REALTORS® 06/20/2021

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

Looking for a healthful treat? One that will keep you energized when you need a boost? Or a treat for the kids to replace sweets or cookies? These scrumptious Pecan, Coconut & Date Bars might be just what you're looking for. Great for travel, camping or giving to friends and co-workers, they blend the buttery goodness of pecans with the natural sweetness of dates. Unsweetened coconut lends a touch of texture and bolsters the nutritional impact of these delicious bars.

Just Three Ingredients

In addition to a food processor, you'll only need:

4 cups of pitted dates

1 cup of pecans

A half cup of unsweetened, shredded coconut

That's it! That's the whole recipe.

How to Make Your Bars

Step 1. Place all three ingredients in your food processor and blend them together.

Step 2. With a spatula, move the mixture from the food processor into an 8 × 8 × 2” baking pan.

Step 3. Press.

Step 4. Presto! Simply cut the mix into bars of your desired size. No cooking necessary.

Nutritional Benefits

Any time you are looking for a way to replace refined sugar or chocolate chips in recipes, think of dates. Natural sugar provides considerably more nutritional value than refined options.

One date carries 20 calories, and this is one reason Pecan, Coconut & Date bars are a high-energy treat. While these treats are not a low caloric food, and are best made just for special occasions, the nut content means they support healthy metabolism. They also provide vital nutrients:

Shredded coconut: Shredded coconut is a festive touch, and it's much more. Mature coconut meat, the source of shredded coconut, contains those same antibacterial elements people obtain from coconut oil. And did you know coconut, in all of its forms, contains iodine — a natural balm for your thyroid gland?

Pecans: These richly scented nuts are troves of monounsaturated fats, the kind dietitians call good fats. These nuts also contain flavonoids, which are plant-derived nutrients. The naturally occurring plant sterols in pecans can boost the body's own immunities. Pecans contain zinc and calcium, along with thiamin, manganese and copper, too. They support bone health! At the same time they have no sodium and no cholesterol. Pecans are relatively light in carbs yet high in fiber.

Dates: Whether you choose firm, amber Deglet Noor dates, or prefer the chewy and sweet Medjool, you'll be getting compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. Dates don't just make your taste buds happy. They help replenish your iron levels, vitamin B-6, and fiber. Because fiber in food helps us feel full, just a few date bars can satisfy your appetite. Finally, dates are a powerful source of potassium (higher than bananas), so they support your muscle-building workouts and your good heart health.

So, enjoy your date bars and make some to share!

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About the Author

Bill and Aby Brooks, REALTORS®

Aby’s understanding of excellent customer service stems from her extensive professional background. Prior to earning her real estate license in 2005, along with her college degree that focuses on business and engineering, Aby was the head of purchasing, inventory and quality assurance for an OEM medical and aerospace manufacturing company. Known by her clients and fellow realtors for her tenacity, honesty, integrity, and attention to detail, as a full-time realtor, she is also appreciated for her quick response to her client’s needs. Aby has been an avid horse rider and owner since the age of eight, with her husband Billas a local firefighter/EMT they are very active within the community. Bill served as a US Army Airborne Ranger in 75th Ranger Regiment, he is a combat-wounded veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. Bill's background as facility Manager for an International metals company and as a firefighter/EMT gives him the experience, attention to detail and the desire to go above and beyond to serve his customers. The Brooks' serve on the board of a local non-profit (501c3) that gives back to the veterans, first responders and their families. The Brooks family resides on their small ranch in Manatee County. Aby& Bill excel in all types of real estate and their passion is helping people. “We genuinely like people, growing up in Sarasota and Manatee counties and now raising our own family here, it is an absolute pleasure to share our growing area with newcomers and reminisce with longtime residents. Our area has so much to offer and it is our business to help folks buy and sell their own piece of paradise.”