No need to avert your eyes, resolution-keepers… today’s sweet treat is made for you! Jess here, and these healthy cherry-almond bars will energize your mind and body while satisfying your sweet tooth. Total win-win. For breakfast, an afternoon snack or even a post-workout nosh, these bars are going to be your new favorite fix. I picked up dried cherries and cranberries (that I sweetened with apple juice) and slivered almonds from the bulk section of my grocery store and turned my usual trail mix into bar form. The cherries and cranberries act as a binder, removing the need to even turn on an oven, and the health factor was bumped up even more by adding some nutty Happy Hemp seeds. What’s better than a recipe that comes together in a snap?

Cherry-Almond Power Bars

*makes 8 large bars

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups unblanched slivered almonds
  • 1/3 cup flaxseed meal
  • 2/3 cup dried cherries
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 2-3 tablespoon raw hemp seeds (optional)
  • 8 drops liquid stevia
  • 1 pinch of sea salt
  • 2 tablespoon water
Instructions:
  1. Place almonds, flax meal, cherries, cranberries, hemp seeds, stevia and salt in food processor.
  2. Pulse until ground and then pulse in water until the mixture begins to form a solid ball.
  3. Press mixture firmly into an 8 x 8 inch baking dish lined with wax paper.
  4. Slice into bars and serve.

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Comments (21)
  1. 1
    Alison Lewis (@alisonlewis) January 31, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    love these!!

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson January 31, 2013 at 5:55 pm

      Thanks, Alison! Hope you give them a try! 🙂

      Reply
  2. 2
    La Petite Olga January 31, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    These look so delicious! Need to try them out!

    xx Olga
    La Petite Olga

    Reply
    • Camille Styles January 31, 2013 at 2:39 pm

      I can attest from experience – they are highly addictive! And it’s nice when you don’t have to feel “guilty” for digging in…

      Reply
    • Sammy August 6, 2013 at 6:29 am

      Been looking for something quick to eat in the morning!! This sounds really great!! Can’t wait to make them myself 😀

      Reply
  3. 3
    Chanel Dror January 31, 2013 at 8:10 pm

    Dear Jess, please make more of these. Sincerely, Lazy.

    Reply
  4. 4
    Ivana @ Macarons and Pearls February 1, 2013 at 3:21 am

    This is genius! I love how easy this recipe is, and that there’s no need to turn on the oven! Thank you so much for sharing this, Jess!

    xx Ivana
    Macarons and Pearls

    Reply
    • Jess February 1, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Thanks, Ivana! I hope you’ll try them yourself! 🙂

      Reply
  5. 5
    Jenn Arndt February 3, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    These sound fantastic and I can’t wait til tomorrow to get the ingredients and put some together! Do you have a nutritional breakdown by any chance?

    Reply
    • Jess February 4, 2013 at 10:13 am

      Oh, exciting! I hope you’ll let me know how they turn out, Jenn! I don’t have the nutritional info, but assuming they’re cut in a similar size to Larabars, I think it would be comparable. I hope that helps!

      Reply
  6. 6
    neely wang February 4, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    These look really good — almost like a homemade larabar! Love that it’s raw, too!

    Reply
  7. 7
    The Livable Art February 4, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    These look delicious! I can’t wait to have a kitchen so I can try them myself!!

    The Livable Art

    Reply
  8. 8
    kelly February 5, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    i made these and they are so good! I think the packaging is great for V-day! I was thinking of making them for my kids teachers who are like healthy items. Would you think it would be good to dip one side in chocolate? If so what chocolate?

    Reply
  9. 9
    Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are} February 28, 2013 at 5:40 am

    These look so perfect! I love to have bars like this around so I can throw them in the kids’ lunches or pack them up for the park, or grab them on my way out the door. Can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
  10. 10
    Maureen February 28, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Looks awesome… any substitutes for the liquid stevia? Maybe honey? Thanks.

    Reply
  11. 11
    sarazop April 16, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    I just made these and I did use honey, I most of added too much water because mine our sticky and not something you would want to take with you! Maybe a combo of the honey and too much water??

    Reply
  12. 12
    Vanessa Lipp June 6, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    Can u please tell me if these r gluten-free? Thank u

    Reply

Author

Jess Simpson