Date and Almond Energy Bars

Method 6 steps

1. 1 If the dates are firm, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat them dry.
2. 2 Pulse the almonds in a food processor to coarse crumbs and tip them out. This keeps some texture in the bars.
3. 3 Blitz the dates for 1-2 minutes to a sticky paste.
4. 4 Add the almonds, oats, cocoa and salt and pulse until the mixture clumps together.
5. 5 Press it very firmly into a 450 g (1 lb) loaf tin lined with baking paper and chill for at least 30 minutes.
6. 6 Cut into 10 bars and wrap each one in foil or baking paper.