APPLE CRUMBLE BARS

Did you have a wonderful Christmas? I hope you had such a wonderful time as I had. I spent the holidays in the mountains with my family and enjoyed clear white snow, blue skies and family time. Now back home, I could not wait to make new recipes for YOU (and me of course :)). For some days, I longed for a cinnamon infused apple crumble and yesterday I decided to make these healthy, quick and oh so delicious apple crumble bars.

They consist of an almond, date and raisin crust layered with a thick, goey and sweet cinnamon-infused apple crumble. These bars make a great cake to serve friends and family and can be enjoyed plain, with a cinnamon caramel sauce, with (raw vegan) vanilla ice cream or a good cup of herbal tea.

These bars will beat every post-Christmas craving and combine healthy oils with all the health-benefits of apples (reduction of cholesterol, boost of immune system, detoxification of liver and even reduction of cancer risk). Plus, they contain some ingredients you would not expect in cake bars - my favorite two super seeds: sunflower and sesame. They make your skin glow, strengthen your bones and your heart and fight several severe diseases. Who doesn't love bars that taste like the best crumble you've ever had and are healthy at the same time?

APPLE CRUMBLE BARS

Makes 6

Crust

1 cup almonds

1/2 cup pitted dates

1/3 cup raisins

Apple crumble

2 medium red apples

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup hulled sesame seeds

1/3 cup raisins

4 pitted dates

1/3 cup almonds

1 T cinnamon powder

few drops pure vanilla extract

Caramel sauce

1/2 cup pitted dates

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 t cinnamon powder

water as needed

For the crust, pulse almonds into flour, add dates and raisins and pulse until well combined. Press dough onto the bottom of a rectangular form and place in freezer.

For the apple crumble, chop apples. In a food processor, combine sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, raisins, dates, almonds and spices until gooey. Mix dough with chopped apples using your hands. Layer crust with apple crumble. Place apple crumble bars in freezer over night.

Next day, for the caramel sauce, blend dates, lemon juice and cinnamon powder with water until a sauce consistency is achieved.

Thaw apple crumble bars for 1/2 hour and serve with caramel sauce.

Enjoy!