Eastern Delight Fruit Bars Recipe

Irresistible Eastern Delight Fruit Bars Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Crafting these delectable eastern delight fruit bars transports you to a world of sweet, nostalgic comfort.

Memories of childhood summers dance through each carefully layered bite.

Soft, pillowy textures blend with vibrant fruit essences that sing of distant orchards.

Fragrant spices whisper tales of traditional recipes passed down through generations.

Simple ingredients come together in a magical symphony of flavor and texture.

Colorful and inviting, these bars promise a culinary adventure that will spark joy in every single mouthful.

You’ll want to savor each delightful morsel and share the magic with loved ones.

What Makes Eastern Delight Fruit Bars So Fun

  • Boost Energy Naturally: Pack a powerful punch of natural sugars, proteins, and healthy fats that provide sustained energy without artificial additives.
  • Customize with Creativity: Swap ingredients like dried fruits and nuts to match personal taste preferences or dietary needs, making each batch unique and exciting.
  • Nutrition in Every Bite: Deliver a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall wellness through carefully selected wholesome ingredients.
  • Quick Kitchen Project: Prepare a delicious and nutritious snack with minimal cooking skills, requiring simple steps like soaking, toasting, and mixing for a satisfying result.

What You’ll Need For Eastern Delight Fruit Bars

Dried Fruits:
  • Apricots: Sweet and tangy dried fruits that add natural sweetness to the bars.
  • Prunes: Soft, dark fruits that provide a rich, deep flavor and help bind the mixture.
  • Dates: Naturally sweet fruits that act as a primary sweetener and help create a smooth texture.
  • Cranberries, Raisins: Dried berries that contribute additional sweetness and fruity complexity.
Nuts and Seeds:
  • Walnuts: Crunchy nuts that provide texture and a rich, earthy flavor.
  • Almonds, Sesame Seeds: Nutritious ingredients that add crunch and a subtle nutty taste.
Base and Binding Ingredients:
  • Oat Flakes: Wholesome grains that help hold the mixture together and provide additional texture.

Baking Steps For Eastern Delight Fruit Bars

Step 1: Prepare Dried Fruits

Thoroughly wash all dried fruits. Submerge them in water and let them soak for 20 minutes until they become soft and plump.

This process helps rehydrate the fruits and makes them easier to blend.

Step 2: Enhance Nuts and Seeds

Roughly chop walnuts.

In a dry skillet, gently toast:
  • Almonds
  • Sesame seeds

Toasting releases natural oils and intensifies their flavors, creating a rich and nutty base for your fruit bars.

Step 3: Create Fruit Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • Toasted nuts
  • Oat flakes
  • Chopped apricots
  • Cranberries
  • Raisins

Mix ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Step 4: Develop Fruit Paste

Using a food processor, transform:
  • Prunes
  • Pitted dates

Blend until you achieve a smooth, sticky consistency that will help bind the entire mixture.

Step 5: Combine Mixtures

Fold the fruit paste into the nut and seed mixture.

Stir carefully to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated and well-mixed.

Step 6: Shape and Freeze

Roll the mixture into a cylindrical shape.

Generously coat the exterior with additional sesame seeds. Place in the freezer for 2 hours to set and firm up.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Remove from freezer and slice into individual portions. Serve chilled as a nutritious snack or light dessert.

Helpful Tips For Eastern Delight Fruit Bars

  • Soak dried fruits thoroughly to ensure softness and enhanced flavor absorption.
  • Toast nuts and seeds lightly to unlock deeper, richer taste profiles before mixing.
  • Experiment with alternative dried fruits like cherries or different nuts such as pecans for unique variations.
  • Wrap individually in parchment paper for easy storage and convenient grab-and-go snacking.
  • Enjoy within two weeks when refrigerated or freeze up to three months for extended preservation.

Different Styles Of Eastern Delight Fruit Bars

  • Tropical Paradise Bars: Replace traditional dried fruits with mango, papaya, and coconut flakes for a vibrant, island-inspired flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Crunch Bars: Incorporate dried figs, pistachios, and orange zest to create a Mediterranean-style energy bar with rich, complex flavors.
  • Chocolate Berry Fusion: Add dark chocolate chips and freeze-dried raspberry pieces for a decadent yet nutritious snack with antioxidant benefits.
  • Spiced Chai Fusion: Mix in ground cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger for a warming, aromatic version that evokes traditional chai tea flavors.

What To Enjoy With Eastern Delight Fruit Bars

  • Pair Espresso with Energy Burst: Rich, dark espresso perfectly complements the nutty, sweet profile of Eastern Delight Fruit Bars, creating a robust flavor experience that awakens the palate and enhances the natural sweetness of the dried fruits.
  • Serve Alongside Greek Yogurt Swirl: Creamy, tangy Greek yogurt provides a cool, smooth contrast to the dense, chewy texture of the fruit bars, balancing their intense flavors and adding a refreshing protein-rich element to the snack.
  • Combine with Herbal Tea Harmony: Chamomile or mint herbal tea offers a gentle, soothing backdrop that highlights the fruit bars' complex nutty and fruity notes, creating a calming and nutritious pairing perfect for afternoon relaxation.

Saving Eastern Delight Fruit Bars The Right Way

  • Refrigerator Storage: Place bars in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Consume within 7-10 days for optimal freshness and taste.
  • Freezer Storage: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag. Freeze up to 3 months without losing texture or nutritional value.
  • Thawing Method: Remove frozen bars from freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, transfer to refrigerator overnight for gentle thawing.
  • Reheating Technique: Gently warm bars in microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for a softer, more pliable texture before serving.

Common Questions About Eastern Delight Fruit Bars

  • Are the Eastern Delight Fruit Bars suitable for vegans?

Yes, these fruit bars are completely vegan-friendly. They use only plant-based ingredients like dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and oat flakes, making them an excellent option for those following a vegan diet.

  • Can I make these bars if I have nut allergies?

If you have nut allergies, you can modify the recipe by replacing nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Always consult with a healthcare professional about your specific allergies before making dietary changes.

  • How healthy are these fruit bars compared to store-bought energy bars?

These homemade bars are significantly healthier. They contain no added sugars, are made with whole ingredients, and provide natural nutrients from dried fruits and nuts, unlike many processed energy bars that often include artificial preservatives and excessive sugar.

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Eastern Delight Fruit Bars Recipe

Eastern Delight Fruit Bars Recipe


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4.5 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Indulgent Eastern Delight Fruit Bars blend sweet memories with Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Delicate layers of fruit, nuts, and delicate pastry create a sensational dessert experience you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Fruits:

  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) dates
  • 70 grams (2.5 ounces) plums
  • 45 grams (1.6 ounces) dried cranberries
  • 50 grams (1.8 ounces) raisins
  • 80 grams (2.8 ounces) dried apricots

Nuts and Seeds:

  • 50 grams (1.8 ounces) pumpkin seeds
  • 70 grams (2.5 ounces) walnuts
  • 75 grams (2.6 ounces) almonds
  • 35 grams (1.2 ounces) sesame

Grains:

  • 20 grams (0.7 ounces) oat flakes

Instructions

  1. Hydrate dried fruits by rinsing thoroughly and soaking in warm water for 20 minutes to soften and plump them up.
  2. Prepare nuts and seeds by gently toasting walnuts, almonds, and sesame seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant and lightly golden, releasing their rich aromatic oils.
  3. Create a base mixture by combining toasted nuts, oat flakes, and chopped soaked apricots, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
  4. Transform prunes and dates into a smooth, creamy paste using a food processor, which will act as a natural binding agent for the fruit bars.
  5. Integrate the fruit paste with the nut and seed mixture, kneading thoroughly to ensure all components are well incorporated and cohesive.
  6. Shape the mixture into a compact cylindrical log, carefully rolling the exterior with additional sesame seeds for texture and visual appeal.
  7. Chill the prepared log in the freezer for 2 hours at 0°F, allowing it to firm up and develop a consistent, sliceable texture.
  8. Slice the chilled log into individual portions, creating uniform bars ready for serving as a nutritious snack or light dessert.

Notes

  • Customize fruit selection by swapping dried fruits like cherries or blueberries for different flavor profiles and nutritional variety.
  • Adjust nut combinations based on allergies or preferences, using sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds as alternative protein sources.
  • Control sweetness by selecting naturally sweet fruits like dates or reducing overall quantity for lower sugar content.
  • Ensure thorough fruit soaking to soften texture and enhance blending consistency for smoother bar preparation.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 5 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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