Cherry Bars (High-Protein Version)

🍒🍫 Cherry Bars (High-Protein Version)

Chewy, fruity, and protein-packed — a perfect snack, dessert, or breakfast option, Abrar.

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🛒 Ingredients (Makes 12 bars)

Base / Crust

• 1 cup oat flour

• ½ cup vanilla or unflavored whey protein

• ¼ cup almond flour

• 2–3 tbsp sweetener of choice (erythritol, stevia, or sugar)

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 2 large eggs

• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cherry Filling

• 1½ cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted

• 2–3 tbsp sweetener

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• Optional: ½ tsp cornstarch or arrowroot for thickening

Topping

• ½ cup Greek yogurt or ¼ cup light cream cheese

• 1–2 tbsp sweetener

• ½ scoop protein powder (vanilla)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan.

2. Prepare base: Mix oat flour, protein powder, almond flour, sweetener, salt, and baking powder.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, applesauce, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth. Press into prepared pan. Bake 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.

4. Prepare cherry filling: In a small saucepan, combine cherries, sweetener, lemon juice, and thickener if using. Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Cool slightly.

5. Prepare topping: Mix Greek yogurt (or cream cheese), sweetener, and protein powder until smooth.

6. Assemble bars: Spread cherry filling over baked crust. Dollop and swirl protein topping over cherries.

7. Bake another 10 minutes until set. Cool completely, then slice into 12 bars.

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📊 Nutrition (Per Bar – Approx., 12 bars)

• Calories: ~180

• Protein: 12–14g

• Carbs: 18–20g

• Fat: 5g

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💪 High-Protein Boost

• Increase whey protein in base and topping (up to 1 full scoop each) → 15–16g protein per bar

• Add ¼ cup cottage cheese to topping for extra protein

• Fold in 2 tbsp chopped nuts for extra texture and protein

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🔥 Lower-Carb / Cutting Version

• Replace oat flour with almond flour

• Use sugar-free sweetener

• Reduce cherry topping slightly

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🍽 Serving Ideas

• Serve chilled for a firmer texture

• Pair with protein coffee or Greek yogurt

• Great for meal prep snacks or dessert