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Sour Cherry & Vanilla Bites

It’s cherry season in Aus, but for me that means hours at the sink with the new (and very unnecessary) kitchen gadget removing the pits. While fresh fruit is always best, it’s sometimes nice just to skip the hard labour and opt for the dried option instead. These delicious sour cherry bites are great when you just want something a little sweet to round off a dinner (or even breakfast, in my case) but you don’t want to devour a whole bowl of pud. This one’s for you, snacky sweet lovers… high protein, raw, gluten free: the perfect way to keep up that New Year’s resolution!

Recipe

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SERVES: 16

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups medjool dates
  • 2 ½ cups almond meal
  • 1 cup rice or pea protein powder
  • ½ cup sour cherries, chopped
  • ½ cup whole almonds
  • 1 tbsp bee pollen (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch sea salt
  • 2 tbsp cold water

METHOD:

  1. Line a 52x26cm tray with foil or cling wrap.
  2. Pulse dates, protein, almond meal, vanilla and salt in a food processor until well combined.
  3. Add water if needed, until the mixture reaches a moist dough.
  4. Add cherries, bee pollen and whole almonds, and pulse lightly.
  5. Press dough into lined pan, flattening with a spatula or rolling pin.
  6. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting into 4cm squares.

 

Tip:

Cut into larger bars for a more substantial post-workout snack.

Sally O'Neil - Editor in Chief

Sal is on a mission to prove that healthy and nutritious doesn’t have to be boring – and that even while staying in shape you can have your cake and eat it too. After losing 14kg from adopting a healthier lifestyle, she shares her journey with others on The Fit Foodie Blog. She also works as a commercial food photographer and stylist, is studying a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, and is the author of two cookbooks: Love Move Eat (Bauer Media, 2017) and Meal Prep Plan (Murdoch, 2019).

10 Comments
  1. Just wondering two things, first with the sour cherries are these jarred or dried? Also I don’t have rice or pea protein but I do have organic vanilla whey potein, is that ok to substitute? Really looking forward to trying this recipe! Thank – you all the way from F.N.Q.

    1. Hi Emily! The sour cherries are dried – they help hold the mixture together. Whey protein is a fine substitute if you can tolerate dairy. Have fun baking! x

  2. Hi, wondering if standard vanilla protein powder can be used instead of pea or rice protein powder and the same amount? Thank you.

  3. Hi, wondering about the size of the baking tray, stating 52 x 26 cm, seems rather large. Thank you

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