Author's Note
Several times a week, I manage to eat every last granola bar/energy bar in my office after working out. My favorites are the Cherry Pie LARABAR and the fun chocolate-coconut energy snacks my lab buddy gets at his local co-op (FYI, we share the stash and refill it as we devour it. I'm not the jerk who secretly eats everyone's lunch). Here, I combine the two into a delicious homemade snack to share! It's a great pre- or post-workout snack and keeps well in the freezer and refrigerator. It's also a great way to get away from all the sweets you consumed over the holidays, while also getting some fiber back into your system 🙂 —Abbie C
Ingredients
1 cup
raw almonds
3 tablespoon
unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup
unsweetened grated coconut
20
pitted dates (medjool dates work well)
1/4 cup
dried sour cherries
1-2 tablespoon
Coarsely ground flax seeds (optional)
Directions
- Pulse the almonds, cocoa powder, flax, and shredded coconut in a food processor until the almonds are chopped into small pieces. The mixture will look like gravel and it's okay if there are still a few relatively large almond pieces.
- Add the dates, a few at a time, to the almond mixture and stir until combined into a mixture that sticks together when pressed between your fingers. If your dates are a bit dry, you can add a tablespoon of water to moisten the mixture a little, but don't overdo it.
- Add cherries and pulse until combined and coarsely chopped.
- Firmly press the mixture into an 8″ x 8″ baking dish lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up.
- Cut into 8 sticks and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
