Homemade Energy Bars

Larabar Inspired Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites by Angela Liddon found on Oh She Glows web site.

If you have never been to Oh She Glows web site check it out.  It has amazing recipes.

I love Larabars, but can't afford to buy them in bulk because my kids devour them in a few days.  So, I make these bars and all love them.  I even have made these for the boys soccer team that I train and my teen girls conditioning class and they were gone in seconds!  So please try this recipe at home.  Quick and very easy.

Ingredients ( 15 small bites)

1 c. Whole raw almonds
8 pitted Medjool dates ( not honey)
1/2 c. Dried sweetened cherries
3 tablespoons dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c. Raw pecans (I substituted raw cashews)
Kosher or sea salt to taste

Instructions:
1. In a food processor, process the almonds until finely chopped.  It's ok if some bigger pieces remain.   Just be sure not to pulverize it into a flour as you want some texture.
2. Remove 1/3 c.  of the processed almonds and set aside for the final step.
3.  Now add the pitted dates in (along with the almonds already in the processor) and process until finely chopped and sticky.  A dough will start to form.  Add cherries and process again until combined.  The mixture will likely form into a large ball.  If this happens break it up with a spoon and process more if necessary.
4.  Add in the chocolate chips and pecan and process until they are just chopped.  Add salt to taste. Pulse in the reserved 1/3 c almonds for texture being careful not to process them too much.  Roll into small balls.  Place in a container or Baggie and store in the fridge or freezer.  ( you can also press the dough in a small baking dish, chill for few minutes, then cut into squares).

Nutritional info: makes 15 small balls, 108 calories, 7 grams fat ( 1 sat fat), 40 mg sodium, 13 g carbs, 3 grams fiber, 9 grams sugar, 3 grams protein.

Note:  if for some reason your mixture isn't sticking together, try processing it a bit longer.  If that doesn't work, you can add a tiny bit of water to help it come together.  It shouldn't be necessary though.