Cherry Chocolate Chip KIND Bars (GF)

Homemade Cherry Chocolate Chip Energy Bars: A Busy Mom's Secret Weapon

Juggling work, kids, and everything in between can feel like a marathon, not a sprint. Finding time for healthy, delicious snacks often falls by the wayside. That’s why I developed this recipe for Cherry Chocolate Chip KIND-style bars. These aren’t your average granola bar; they’re packed with wholesome ingredients, naturally sweet, and incredibly satisfying. Forget those processed, sugary bars loaded with artificial ingredients – these homemade versions are the perfect guilt-free indulgence.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. It comes together quickly, even on my busiest days. The combination of chewy cherries, crunchy nuts, and rich chocolate chips is a match made in snack heaven. I use coconut flour for a subtly sweet and naturally gluten-free base. The almond butter adds a creamy texture and healthy fats, keeping me feeling full and energized throughout the morning. The best part? My kids absolutely love them! It’s a win-win situation: a healthy treat they happily devour, leaving me with a little less stress and a lot more time.

Making it a Family Affair: One of my favorite things about this recipe is its flexibility. It's a great opportunity to get the kids involved in the kitchen. They can help measure ingredients, chop nuts, and even mix everything together. It's a fun way to spend quality time while teaching them about healthy eating. Plus, they're more likely to enjoy something they helped create!

Adapting to Your Lifestyle: These bars are incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different nuts, dried fruits, and even spices. Cranberries would be a delicious alternative to cherries, or you could add a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra warm flavor. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to customize the bars to your own preferences and dietary needs. I’ve even tried adding a touch of sea salt to enhance the sweetness of the cherries and chocolate.

Perfect for On-the-Go: These bars are the perfect solution for busy mornings or afternoon slumps. I often make a big batch on the weekend and store them in the fridge for easy grab-and-go snacks throughout the week. They’re equally perfect for packing in lunchboxes, making sure my kids have a nutritious and delicious treat to look forward to. They travel well, too, making them an ideal companion for road trips or busy days out.

Beyond the Snack: While these bars make for a fantastic snack, their versatility extends beyond that. They're equally delicious as a dessert after a meal or even a quick breakfast on a hectic morning. Their wholesome ingredients make them a guilt-free choice, regardless of when you choose to indulge. The combination of flavors provides a wonderful balance of sweet and satisfying.

So, if you're a busy mom, working professional, or simply someone who appreciates a healthy and delicious snack, give this recipe a try. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make and how much your family (and you!) will love these homemade Cherry Chocolate Chip KIND bars. They’re a testament to the fact that healthy and delicious can absolutely coexist, especially when you have a little time in the kitchen.

Ingredients: (Remember to check your pantry! You might already have most of these on hand.)

Instructions: (The step-by-step instructions were provided previously, but feel free to adapt them to your own style.)

Enjoy!

Step-by-step

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Trim parchment paper to line an 8x8-inch baking dish, leaving parchment paper to hang over two sides of the dish.
• In a large bowl, add the honey, coconut flour, all-natural almond butter and salt. Use a spoon to stir until well combined.
• On a large cutting board, coarse-chop a couple of large handfuls of whole cashews and measure out 1 cup. Then, coarse chop a handful or two of whole almonds and measure out 1/3 cup. Add the chopped nuts to the honey mixture.
• Next, chop the dried cherries (or cranberries) and measure out 1/4 cup; add to the honey mixture.
• Then add 1/4 cup of mini-chocolate chips.
• Finally, measure 1 cup of coconut flakes (not shredded coconut). Place coconut flakes on the cutting board and coarse-chop. Add chopped coconut flakes to honey mixture.
• Using a spoon, mix ingredients together making sure they are thoroughly combined.
• Place the bar mixture into the parchment-lined baking dish. Fold overlapping flaps down and evenly press the top of the bar mixture firmly to pack-in the ingredients so they hold together better after baking. Then, peel back the parchments flaps from top of bars. (Do not trim, as the flaps make it easier to remove the bars after baking.)
• Bake for 20 minutes. Then remove from oven and allow to completely cool on stovetop for approximately one hour (or until bottom of baking dish is room temp).
• Place in fridge to continue cooling. (Do not freeze as it makes it impossible to cut the bars without them crumbling.)
• Once cold, remove dish from refrigerator. Then, run a knife along the two edges without parchment. Using the parchment paper ends, lift the bars from the baking dish and place on a cutting board.
• Cut into 8 bars and individually wrap and store in the fridge or freezer. Then you can easily take out what you need and place directly into your child’s lunchbox (or yours) – no need to thaw. However, for best results, bars should be kept cold so they do not become over-sticky. Simply include an ice pack, if placing them in a lunchbox, or taking them on the go.