Chocolate Cherry & Cherry Mocha Energy Bars

Weather you are looking for a energy packed snack, a healthy snack, or a healthy Valentine’s Day treat thee Chocolate Cherry and Cherry Mocha Bars might be just what you are looking for! These bars are just like LaraBars, but with the option to make them with protein powder. Whole food nutrition (and only 4 ingredient!), clean, and healthy but they taste like a treat. Perfect for kids and adults, I made the Chocolate Cherry Bars for the girls and for a real treat I make the Cherry Mocha Bars, with a protein boost, for myself! So quick and easy, taking only minutes in a food processor, we have made these before for before or after our activities, runs, hikes, soccer, gymnastics, you name it. They also go to school with the kids for a snack. While you could make them with dried cranberries the cherries go great with chocolate and are good combination for Valentine’s. Here is the part I am so excited about…. I made them using the new Vega Mocha Vega One! Yep I knew after I picked it up at Whole Foods a few weeks back and made my first shake I would be adding it to so many things and the ideas started rolling through my head and this is one of the first I knew I had to make! If you want more chocolate you can add in some cacao nibs or chocolate chips but I think they are a delicious treat without the addition.

Are you a fan of LaraBars, what is your favorite flavor? Have you made your own before?

Chocolate Cherry/ Cherry Mocha Energy Bars
8×8 pan, 16 bars
1c almonds
1- 1 1/4c pitted dates, soaking optional
1c dried cherries
3/4c cacao/cocoa powder or chocolate/mocha protein powder (use cacao or Vega Choc A Lot Protein Smoothie for chocolate or Mocha Vega One for my Cherry Mocha Bars)

Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper and set aside. Add almond to a food processor and pulse a couple of time, optional but my kids don’t like big chunks of nuts so I do. Add one cup of the dates and the cherries and pulse until well combine, add cacao or protein powder and pulse to mix in. Mixture should stick together when pinched between two fingers. If not add the extra quarter cup of dates. Press mixture into prepared baking dish, being sure to press it in well. Place pan in the freezer for about an hour, or longer. Cut into bars and wrap or keep in the pan. We store our bars in the freezer for longer storage and firmer, chewier texture but not required. Enjoy!

Again, linking up with some lovely bloggers for Meatless Monday. More Meatless Monday inspiration from fellow bloggers can be found by clicking the image below.

While I do receive some Vega products from time to time, which I used as an option in this recipe, I do purchase much of it on my own. It has been my plant-based protein of choice since before I started blogging. Even though most Vega products used are purchased by myself I do add this disclaimer. I do not make any money off any Vega sales or posts. I only write about foods I love, my blog is an extension of my hobby to make fun healthy food creations for me and my family.