Combine dates, peanut butter, vanilla, cocoa powder and salt in a food processor and puree until combined and sticking together.
If the mixture seems a bit too dry, add water and continue to puree. You probably won't need it.
Remove mixture from bowl and for bar shaped pieces, press it down onto a cutting board and form into a square or rectangle. Cut into 10-12 square or bar shaped pieces.
For balls, take small pieces of the mixture and roll into small balls. Makes approx. 18 balls.
Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Chill until eaten.
Recipe Notes
These do end up a bit stickier than Larabars. I would suggest wrapping each bar in wax paper if you want to take them on-the-go.