Berry Vanilla Cashew Snack Bars

Wholesome grain free snack bars that are packed with whole, real foods. Chewy, satisfying, and easy to make too!

Wholesome grain free snack bars that are packed with whole Berry Vanilla Cashew Snack Bars

I’m currently typing this from a cozy cabin up in the mountains as the wood burning fire crackles, the snow falls outside my window, and the teapot whistles from the stove. It feels unreal that this perfectly cliché scene is happening right now. Also, let me go grab that tea because the sound is deafening.

We’ve been up in Vermont for 3 days, skiing then falling. But also spa-ing, cooking, eating waffles like this, and relaxing with the dogs. Putting our phones down (as much as my Snapchat obsessed self can) and trading Facebook for real conversation and making memories as we play cards, sip warm apple cider, and pig out on homemade taco feasts and aforementioned waffles. With extra chocolate syrup.

(On the waffles, not the tacos.)

Wholesome grain free snack bars that are packed with whole Berry Vanilla Cashew Snack Bars

When you read this, I’ll already be home after a 6 hour drive with post vacation blues in full force. Why do weekends in the mountains sneak by so quickly?

Our trip to snowy paradise begged for a lot of things: thick socks, flannel shirts, and snacks. I made a batch of snack bars to take on the long ride. A new variety to add to my growing ~~collection~~ obsession. Don’t forget that homemade snack bars are my #1 recipe from 2015. And the 2016 snack bar game is just as strong!!

And once I broke the out the container on the ride up, everyone started oohing and ahhing (over snack bars. it was weird.), and before I knew it– all 12 were gone.

Next trip: make 72 batches of snack bars. 1 batch for every hour we’re there.

Wholesome grain free snack bars that are packed with whole Berry Vanilla Cashew Snack Bars

Snack bars. What are they? Only the best healthy homemade snack in the world! Like KIND bars, but made at home. Primarily from handfuls simple ingredients like cashews, dried berries, and sunflower seeds. Wholesome and texture-filled for those of us who crave satisfying snacks. Grain free, gluten free, salty and sweet, too!

It’s snack time bliss.

Besides the nuts, dried fruit, and seeds– you’ll need almond meal and honey. If you can’t find it, almond meal is so easy to make at home: simply pulse almonds until they reach a rough flour-like consistency. Honey sweetens, of course, but it also binds all the snack bar ingredients together. It’s perfectly delicious paired with the vanilla flavor, the creamy cashews, and all those sweet dried berries.

Real quick: for those cashews, make sure that you chop them up. Not super fine, but a nice coarse chop. Whole cashews prevent the snack bars from sticking together. You need some small chunks in there. Just like this:

Wholesome grain free snack bars that are packed with whole Berry Vanilla Cashew Snack Bars

I use my food processor to do the trick. Do you have one? Now’s the time to get one! Here is the one I own and love. It’s more like a blender that doubles as a chopper. But it’s perfect for chopping up the nuts, making nut butters, homemade pesto (have you tried it??), roasted garlic hummus, and healthy truffle goodness.

One of the main reasons these berry vanilla cashew snack bars disappeared in .05 seconds is their texture. The bars are uniquely chewy while soft in some spots (those buttery cashews!) and crisp on the edge pieces. You get large chunks of nuts and fruit that you can actually see and taste, unlike most granola or energy bars.

And another reason surely is the taste. They’re sweet and salty which is just the best taste on the planet, ok? The snack bars are infused with vanilla and each bite pops with both honey and almond butter. Then, of course, sweet dried berries speckled throughout each bar. There’s something different in every bite which is just so satisfying, isn’t it?

Wholesome grain free snack bars that are packed with whole Berry Vanilla Cashew Snack Bars

You’d be wise to whip up a quick batch this week!

Berry Vanilla Cashew Snack Bars

Author: Sally

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Yield: 12 bars

Category: Snacks

Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Description

Wholesome grain free snack bars that are packed with whole, real foods. Chewy, satisfying, and easy to make too!

Ingredients

1/3 cup (114g) honey or brown rice syrup*

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup (37g) almond meal*

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon (15g) almond butter (any nut butter works!)

1 and 1/3 cups (200g) raw unsalted cashews, roughly chopped

1/4 cup dried blueberries*

1/4 cup (30g) dried cranberries

1/3 cup (44g) salted sunflower seeds*

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the bars from the pan. Set aside.

Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix the honey, vanilla, almond meal, salt, and almond butter together until combined. Fold in the cashews, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds until combined.

Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan and press very firmly into an even layer. You really want it packed in tight- as tight as possible. Bake for 22 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack for 1 hour, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 1 more hour. This firms up the bars which helps them stay compact. Remove bars from the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into bars. Individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap or parchment. Store at room temperature for 1 week or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I find they get a little sticky at room temperature over a few days, so I prefer the refrigerator.

Notes

Freezing Instructions: These bars are freezer friendly. After wrapping individually, freeze for up to 3 months and thaw before enjoying.

Sweetener: I do not suggest a thinner sweetener like maple syrup or agave– honey or brown rice syrup are perfect.

Almond Meal: You can use store-bought almond meal or almond flour, or you can make your own. Start with 1/3 cup of slivered, sliced, or whole almonds. Pulse them in a food processor until a crumbly meal has formed. Do not run the food processor continuously; you may end up with almond butter. Little pulses are best. You will end up with around 1/3 cup almond meal.

Dried Blueberries: Sometimes I have a hard time finding dried blueberries in the store. If you can’t find them, you can just sub dried cranberries.

Sunflower Seeds: I like to use salted sunflower seeds because they add a little salt to the sweet dried fruit/honey. I love the salty sweet taste and I think you will too. If using unsalted, add another 1/8 teaspoon salt to the recipe. Instead of sunflower seeds, try using chopped peanuts, cashews, or almonds.