Chica Cherry Pistachio Energy Bars

March 20, 2011 by Leanne Vogel November 9, 2017

These bars are loaded with protein, sticky cherries, and free of refined sugars. They have the consistency of a very dense cake and are best enjoyed with a tall glass of almond milk and a good book.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
• 1 cup toasted salt free pistachio nuts
• 1/2 cup dried unsweetened cherries
• 1/2 cup chickpea flour
• 1/3 cup ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup hemp protein powder — I’m sure others could be used, I like hemp protein because you can’t taste it when it’s baked!
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan rock salt

Binding Goodness

• 3/4 cup prunes
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 apple
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper across both sides for easy lifting. Set aside.
2. Blend binding goodness ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together chickpea flour, protein powder, flax seed, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the cranberries, pistachios, and cherries. Make sure the nuts and dried fruit are completely coated with the flour mixture.
4. Add the binding goodness mixture to the fruit and nut mixture and mix well. Spread into the 8×8 prepared pan, pressing with your fingers to even it out. If you don’t have a pastry roller, use a small medicine bottle to roll the bars as flat as possible.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 325F or until golden. [Mine took 34 minutes]
6. Remove from the pan and allow to cool for 20 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife.

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Nutrition Information Per Serving