This recipe was adapted from one by Pam Vagnieres’ in an article called Make Your Own Protein Bars that ran last year in my local newspaper The Daily Camera. These high protein, gluten free power bars are easy to make and remind me of a Lärabar, though these are super fresh since they’re homemade, and they’re also not quite as sweet.
My boys and their friends loved these bars and gobbled them up during spring break, when our house was boys central.
Chocolate Cranberry Power Bars
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups pecans, lightly toasted
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 15 large dates (remove pits)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 10 drops stevia
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
- ½ cup dried cranberries, you can add more if you like
Instructions
- Blend pecans and cacao powder in food processor until combined and coarsely ground
- Add in dates and process until blended into dry ingredients
- Process in vanilla, stevia and agave until well combined
- Stir (or work in) dried cranberries with a spoon or by hand
- Press mixture into an 8 x 8 inch baking dish
- Freeze for 1 hour, or until firm, then cut into 16 squares
If cranberries aren’t your thing check out my other gluten free power bar recipes, Chocolate Espresso Power Bars, Spicy Power Bars and the crowd favorite Almond Power Bars.
For more yummy power bar recipes from other gluten free food bloggers check out:
–Sesame Snack Bars (Gluten-Free & Casein Free) from Lexie of Lexie’s Kitchen
–Popeye Protein and Fruit Bars from Shirley of Gluten free Easily
–The Best Ever Gluten-Free Power Bars from Debbie of The Gluten-Free ‘Dish’
Katie @ RIddlelove says
These are great! I used goji berries instead of cranberries and substituted the stevia and agave with 2 T maple syrup. I also added a little sea salt and cinnamon. YUM!
Lisa says
I made these this afternoon and they are delicious! Elana- how do you store these once you cut them up??
Kristin Walukas says
I found these delish, but too crumbly – I’d made them again, but add a little coconut oil to help hold them together.
Aubree Cherie says
These just look amazing! I’ve added the recipe to My Favorite Recipes from Last Week post. Thanks! ~Aubree Cherie
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
What a good money saver to make these from scratch!
Heather says
I just made these. Added a handful of dark choc chips on top to entice my son. He loved them!
Nicole Hunn says
These look wonderful. This is one category I have not yet tackled. Thanks for the great recipe!
Warm regards,
Nicole
Kate (Peacocks & Moonshine) says
This recipe looks so delicious and easy! Although I haven’t commented on your blog in a while, but I am a frequent visitor. Thanks for the great recipe :)
Jen @ keepitsimplefoods says
These look amazing!
debi riley says
These look so yummy! I just bought some medjool dates and forgot how good they are, they melt in your mouth, so this looks right up my ally, thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes!!!