Snacking, snacking, snacking – lots of snacking going down at my house because I am my three teen boys are always so hungry. I’ve been experimenting with some homemade energy bars and trail mixes and have come up with the perfect combo – Chocolate Cherry (Protein) Trail Cups. My husband mentioned after gobbling one up that it reminded him of a Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte Lara Bar — so, I made a Larabar copycat recipe without even realizing!
These healthy snacks are super easy to whip up and using a food processor makes the task even less time consuming. The tip to making sure these treats hold up to any adventure is to make sure the crumbly mixture is moist enough to stick together when pressed between fingers. If it seems too dry, throw more nut butter or sugar-free chocolate syrup in 1 teaspoon at a time.
I’m taking my batch of trail cups for some long-lasting energy when the family heads out on a ski trip soon. I created this recipe with protein power as one of the ingredients to balance the dried fruit and chocolate. I don’t want to hear ANY “I’m hungry mom” complaints when we’re dangling our skis and snowboards off a lift 10,000 feet up.
Chocolate Cherry (Protein) Trail Cups Recipe
- 1 ¼ cup Love Grown Super Oats*
- 1/3 cup chocolate protein powder (like Quest Nutrition Chocolate Milkshake)**
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup raisins
- ½ cup pecans
- 1/4 cup nut butter of choice (I used almond)
- 1/3 cup dried tart cherries
- 2 tablespoons Stevia-sweetened cocoa syrup***
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
*You may use regular rolled oats and add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds.
**If you don’t want to use protein powder, add an additional ¼ cup oats and 1 tablespoon nuts.
** I used NuNaturals Cocoa Syrup, but you can use any chocolate syrup
- Add oats, protein powder, cocoa powder, raisins and pecans in work bowl of food processor. Processes until ingredients are broken down but still fairly coarse
- Pulse in nut butter and syrup until mixture is moist and sticks together when pressed between fingers.
- Pulse in cherries and mini chocolate chips until just combined.
- Place approximately ¼ cup loosely scooped mixture into muffin tin that has been prepped with a paper liner. Press mixture down with back of spoon of fingers until compacted.
- May be stored in the refrigerator in airtight container for several weeks. Makes 15 :”cups.”
Oh, and I have a workout you’re going to flip for – if you don’t have a tire, a heavier med ball can be substituted.
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What a delicious sounding and nice and easy snack recipe! I’m pinning that for my weekend bake. Thank you. 😀
Thank you Neil, I hope you enjoy!
me too! although i just might run to her house and make her make these for me! ha
come on over! You too Neil, but it would be a longer trip 😉
Yum! I have all those ingredients…… Even the food processor 😉 haha!
And I’d totally love to flip a tire!
Dang, I cut my finger washing the blade yesterday — it’s sharp, be careful! or, duh, don’t be a stupid as me
YES!!!!! I HAVE HAVE HAVE FLIPPED!!!!
🙂
I had a hunch you flipped!
that’s an awesome hardcore shot of you!! and those trail cups look amazing!! i’m into bars this week – super easy to grab and go!!
HA, thanks, I have it the “gritty” filter!
All my favorites in one. Sounds like a winner to me! And I have flipped a tire. SO fun!
YUM! I have all the ingredients so I MUST make!
Whoop whoop! That’s my kinda workout 😉 Ps. Can you deliver me some of those chocolate cherry trail cups- they look AMAZING!
These look delicious. I love that they stay together enough to be portable too. You can’t go wrong with a combination of cherries and chocolate.
Thanks Fiona!
That recipe looks great. I bet my 3 year old would even love it, she loves Lara bars. Thanks for the recipe! I will have to try it.
I have never flipped a tire, it seems like it would be quite the intense workout! I just got some battle ropes and have added those in this week, my arms hurt even typing this!
Thanks for linking up!
Oh man, battle ropes are so hard! They look like they should be fun and easy and then after 15 seconds I’m quivering!
Cool workout! I flipped a tire once at a Tough Mudder and it was tough! I’d definitely have to refuel with those trail cups afterwards 🙂
Just curious since I’m doing an obstacle course in a couple months — did you have to flip once, or multiple times. Did they have various tire weights — uh, like a lighter one for the gals?
These protein trail cups looks so yummy and that workout just left me here staring.
Thanks Diatta!
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Would u please tell us how many calories there are in this??? Thank you! Would like to make this for my daughter that seems to exercise a lot.
If I remember correctly, it was 247 calories per serving
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