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Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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An ideal snack or breakfast on-the-go, these chewy granola bars are filled with tart cherries, dark chocolate chips and protein-packed walnuts.

Chewy Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars - The Lemon Bowl

As though I needed one more, reason #9497214758 that I love living in Michigan is because we are the Cherry Capital of the World. In fact, I have been picking and consuming tart cherries my whole life. As a result, I was delighted when the Cherry Marketing Institute asked me to develop a cherry recipe.

Michigan Cherry Tree - The Lemon Bowl

With a name like The Lemon Bowl, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that I love sour flavors. Tart cherries have the perfect sweet-tart flavor that pops in a variety of recipes.

Fun Fact: The same phytonutrients that give them their unique tart taste and ruby red color have been linked to a variety of health benefits – like reducing inflammation and improving muscle recovery after exercise.

Chewy Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars - The Lemon Bowl

Even though my boys won’t be heading to the bus stop any time soon, I always find myself getting in the back to school spirit this time of year. I am a huge fan of any season that encourages and inspires people to get in their kitchen to create nutritious and delicious foods to fuel their families through these busy months.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars - The Lemon Bowl

Homemade granola bars are not only easy to make but by making them at home you can control the quality of ingredients. Antioxidant-rich tart cherries and dark chocolate combined with whole grain oats give these granola bars a major nutritional bang for their buck. Walnuts also add protein and heart-healthy fats to give your little ones long lasting energy, without the sugar crash.

I like to wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap to throw in my gym bag or so my husband can grab one on his way to work in the morning. When stored this way in the refrigerator they will last up to 10 days.

Chewy Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars by The Lemon Bowl

Although I’m here to warn you, they won’t last that long.

No forks required.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars - The Lemon Bowl

Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars

Liz Della Croce
5 stars average
An ideal snack or breakfast on-the-go, these chewy granola bars are filled with tart cherries, dark chocolate chips and protein-packed walnuts.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
CourseSnack
Serves12

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup dried tart cherries
  • 2 cups oats old fashioned or quick-cooking
  • 1 cup walnuts
  • ¼ cup flax seed meal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • cup honey
  • ¼ cup dark cocoa powder regular works too
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips I used Ghirardelli baking chips
  • optional: extra dried tart cherries and dark chocolate chips – for sprinkling on top before baking

Instructions
 

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a food processor, pulse together dried tart cherries, oats, walnuts, flax seed meal and salt until finely chopped, roughly the consistency of sand.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, honey, cocoa powder and vanilla until smooth. Add the oats mixture to the bowl and stir until evenly coated with the chocolate honey mixture.
  4. Add dark chocolate chips to the bowl and stir again. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and spread out in an even layer.
  5. Sprinkle additional tart cherries and chocolate chips on top before baking 20-25 minutes.
  6. Let bars cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 36.6gProtein: 6.5gFat: 10.2gSaturated Fat: 1.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8.9gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 214mgFiber: 3.9gSugar: 22.1g

Liz’s Notes

While the bars will taste delicious warm or room temperature, they slice best when chilled in the refrigerator 3 hours or up to overnight.
Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

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Let us know how it was!

5 from 3 votes

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41 responses to “Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars”

  1. Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction Avatar
    Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction

    Love the dark chocolate and cherry combination!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much Jessica!

  2. Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living Avatar
    Jeanette | Jeanette’s Healthy Living

    When one of my boys first went to Michigan and told me about the cherries in Michigan, I was so surprised. Now that I’ve got a son going to U. Michigan this fall, I know I’m hoping to get my hands on some Michigan cherries ;). Love these bars!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh yes you are in for a treat!! So much great produce!

  3. Angie | Big Bear's Wife Avatar
    Angie | Big Bear’s Wife

    My mom LOVES cherries and chocolate together! She’s going to love these, Liz!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      There is no better combo!! :)

  4. Christine@ Apple of My Eye Avatar
    Christine@ Apple of My Eye

    These look delicious! I love all the combinations of flavors and YES to anything tart! I’m a full-time college student, so these would be perfect on a rushed morning where I need to just grab something and go for breakfast :).

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      These would be perfect for that!! They keep a long time too and are great cold or room temp.

  5. Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) Avatar
    Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)

    Love a good granola recipe! And I’m a huge fan of cherries…and anything that involves dark chocolate, of course :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I am such a sucker for granola bars!! Enjoy!

  6. Becca from It's Yummi! Avatar
    Becca from It’s Yummi!

    If you put this pan in front of me, I cannot be held responsible for my lack of sharing skills… YUM!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      hahah I love it!!

  7. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    These look fantastic and I am totally making some for my kiddo’s! (That I will accidentally eat all of before they can get some. *justsayin)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      haha – I am so mad I didn’t stash more away. They were literally devoured in a day. Boys.

  8. Lauren @ Hall Nesting Avatar
    Lauren @ Hall Nesting

    What a great on the go snack idea for any age! And I love tart cherries!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Heck yes!! Snacks for all!

  9. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes Avatar
    Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

    I love tart cherries. My mom has a huge tart cherry tree in her orchard, but it died completely out of the blue last year. Finding fresh ones is so hard unless you have an in like that. Thankfully dried ones are easy to find. I am with out a doubt making these for my daughters’ lunch boxes.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh man – my friend had one too and it also died. I really don’t think they are easy to grow as it might seem. Thank goodness for dried!

  10. Maryea {happy healthy mama} Avatar
    Maryea {happy healthy mama}

    Tart cherries+dark chocolate? These are just full of antioxidants! :) I love the short and simple ingredient list–I’m definitely gonna give these a try!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Don’t forget the walnuts!! These are completely guilt free! :)