bars• Featured• gluten-free• snacks• vegan

Dark Chocolate Cherry Bars

July 13, 2021

A delicious and healthy take on Kind Bar’s Dark Chocolate Cherry Bars made with raw cacao and tart dried cherries drizzled with dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt.

Have you ever tried the Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew KIND bars? If you have then you know how good they are, if you haven’t….don’t. Not because they aren’t the most delicious treat but because you can save some serious dough making them yourself! Fortunately for you I have mastered the recipe.

A single KIND bar averages around $2.00. Now I haven’t tried adding up the total for each bar in my batch but I can assure you I made 12 of these for less than $24. This is especially true if you have an addiction to all things bulk stores like I do.

These bars taste almost identical to the original but are even healthier! The original bars contain sugar, palm kern oil, glucose and a host of other ingredients that are not necessary. It is true that KIND bars are a healthier choice when it comes to the granola bars that are available on the market since they are free of chemical additives, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. But if you can make an all-natural bar made from real, wholesome ingredients for minimal dollars, i’m all for putting in the effort. They’re also my dad’s favorite so these chocolate cherry bars make be think of him.

Why Make Homemade Granola Bars

Why not?! Here’s why I like to make my own granola bars at home:

Save $$! I can make an entire batch of granola bars for way less than what a box of store bought granola bars costs.
Choose your ingredients. I love knowing (and choosing!) exactly what goes into my snacks. Actual KIND bars have sugar, palm kern oil, glucose and a bunch of other ingredients that aren’t necessary in my opinion. I created this version from real, wholesome ingredients!
They’re healthy enough for breakfast and tasty enough for dessert!

Dark Chocolate Cherry Bar Ingredients

Cashews and almonds – I like using raw nuts but you could try roasted as well.
Dried cherries – try to find dried cherries without any added sugar if possible!
Dates – helps hold the bars together and adds a delicious natural sweetness.
Raw cacao powder – cocoa powder works as well!
Puffed rice or millet – you can also skip this if you can’t find it!
Dark chocolate – I recommend looking for chocolate that is at least 70% cacao.
Sea salt – for sprinkling on top!

How to Make Dark Chocolate Cherry Bars

STEP 1: In a food processor or blender mix together cashews, cherries, dates and cacao powder until it forms into a large sticky ball.

STEP 2: Place ball in a large bowl and add almonds and puffed rice/millet.Use a spatula to mix everything together. It should be very sticky.

STEP 3: In a 9 x 9 baking dish lined with parchment paper add mixture and press down with fingers until mixture is flattened out into bars. Wet hands slightly if mixture is sticking to hands. Place dish in freezer for 15 minute to set.

STEP 4: Remove bars from freezer and cut into 12 bars (or however many you prefer). Melt dark chocolate either in microwave (in 30 second intervals) or in a double boiler on stove top. Place bars on a plate or tray and drizzle dark chocolate overtop with a spoon. Sprinkle with sea salt.

STEP 5: Place bars in fridge to set for an additional 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to Store Homemade Granola Bars

Store these granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you need to store for longer, you can freeze them for up to six months. Fair warning… mine never last that long in my house