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’
Grace Bazin says
Hello! Wondering what the protein content of these bars are.. thanks!
Kirsty Thompson says
These power bars are DELICIOUS!!! I found them sweet enough without the stevia and used a mixture of cranberries and cherries. Yum :) Everyone who I have given them to sample have LOVED them and been amazed that they contain no “nasties”. I have recently discovered Elana’s site and am just so thrilled to have come across such a gem! I have tried about 8 of her recipes so far and all have been a hit. I have been sharing the site with all my friends too. Thank you so much Elana – it is always such a treat to come across a good website with healthy recipes that doesn’t call for a myriad of unavailable/obscure ingredients. Well done and THANK YOU again :)
Sarah says
These are so good! They are my new solution for my mid-afternoon chocolate carvings!
Krispy says
Just wanted to thank you for all of these wonderful recipes. It really helps to add variety and taste into my daughters special diet.
Krissy
Jennie says
I did this but substituted the pecans with half cashews and half almonds (pecan allergy) and they turned out DELISH! Thanks for your work…it’s made my cooking life a lot easier!
Amy says
Do these require refrigeration or is room temp fine? Thank you!
Caitlin says
I just finished making these and my goodness are they ever good! I’m newly gluten free and was craving something sweet but healthy and these hit the spot! Their so easy to make as well. These will save me from going out to buy Lara bars now!
Sandy says
Just made these. LOVE them! Except for the fact that I need a new food processor to handle bigger quantities, no trouble at all to make and very delicious. :)
Isabelle says
a friend of mine made those (using your recipe) and gave me some. They are YUMMY. Can’t wait to make some.
Isa
Julie says
I’d love to try these but have nonmejol dates. About how many cups/ounces of dates would you say?
Thanks!