For some reason unbeknownst to me I seem to think I live in a grocery store. I’ve let you in on the secret list I keep on my phone of recipe ideas that pop into my head, but occasionally I get the urge to make those recipes right away. However, it never seems to occur to me that I might not have all ingredients on hand. These realizations tend to happen about halfway through the baking/cooking process…
This is precisely what happened with this recipe. I woke up with cherry pie on my mind and I got the grand idea to make chocolate cherry pie balls (for the record balls are always on my mind too thanks to Kewaza!). Here’s where I ran into a problem, I didn’t have dried cherries nor did I have chocolate (except the good stuff which is too precious) making chocolate cherry pie balls somewhat difficult to make.
At this point I had already processed the cashews and dates and the snowstorm outside meant a trip to the grocery store was not a possibility. Serious improvisation was necessary. Thankfully at the very bottom of my baking drawer I found a bag of white chocolate chips and just barely a cups worth of dried cranberries. The orange got added purely because it was sitting on the counter in front of me. So they aren’t chocolate cherry pie balls, but these Orange Cranberry White Chocolate Bars are pretty damn good nonetheless.
That my friends is how the magic happens.
Orange Cranberry White Chocolate Bars
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Keywords: no-bake dessert snack dairy-free gluten-free orange cranberry white chocolate bars
Ingredients (Yields: 12 bars)
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 2 cups cashews
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- zest of 1 orange
- juice 1/2 an orange
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup white chocolate, melted
Instructions
1. In a food processor or high-powered blender process dates until pea-sized.
2. Add in cashews and process for another minute.
3. Add in dried cranberries and process for another minute.
4. Add in sea salt, orange zest, juice and vanilla extract and process until mixture comes together to form a sticky ball.
5. Line a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with plastic wrap.
6. Press bars into pan and smooth out top so it is even.
7. Freeze for 15 mins.
8. Remove from freezer and cut into 12 bars.
9. Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
10. Keep in fridge for up to a month or freezer for several months.
Do you prepare for recipes beforehand or just wing the ingredients?
JOIN THE THM NEWSLETTER
Join 20,000+ members of the THM Community to get access to exclusive recipes, healthy lifestyle tips and behind-the-scenes news from our team!
93 Comments
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
January 22, 2014 at 5:23 amThese look delicious!! I wish my stomach loved me more when I ate dates, if I eat more than one or sometimes less I always get bad stomach pains. Eating this bar would be worth the pains.
I sometimes wing recipes if I see ingredients around that I think will work together or if I think of an idea that I don’t have ingredients for I will go buy them.
Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness
January 22, 2014 at 6:23 amI am actually seriously happy that you didn’t have the ingredients on hand (and, my gosh do I do that ALL the time, and I totally keep a phone list too!) because these bars look om nom nom!
I was just thinking about how I should make my hubby some quick, portable snacks for his lunch and these look like a winner.
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles
January 22, 2014 at 6:25 amI live in the grocery stores too and often wonder why I don’t buy more at a time or at least remember everything on the list I write out lol…I keep most ingredients on hand but I go through my baking phases so sometimes I will be without something and try to make do with what I have. I also have my stash of good chocolate vs. the chocolate I use for certain random recipes. If it’s a new recipe, I don’t want to waste my chocolate lol. And if I am being totally honest, I don’t like to share my “good” ingredients or my good peanut butter in all of my baked goods.
Elise @ 9toFit.com
January 22, 2014 at 6:53 amWe don’t keep much ingredients/food at our house, except what we meal plan for that week.. so when I’m trying to make something new it either has to go in the meal plan or I’ll be making some trips to the grocery store
Joanne
January 22, 2014 at 7:08 amI love it when recipes are born of necessity (and an almost-entry pantry). Sometimes those are the best! Kind of wish I was breakfast-ing on one of these right now.
Ksenija @ With An Open Mind
January 22, 2014 at 7:21 amWhat a delicious combination! Orange, cranberry and white chocolate itself made my mouth water, but when I saw that these are actually date bars (my favorite homemade snacks) I just couldn’t hold myself. Girl, I love you so much for posting such a delicious recipe, which I can actually make without using an oven!!! Happiest girl in whole France right now – I only need to find cashews in the store. Challenge accepted 😉
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 8:56 pmWoo-hoo! From now on I’ll be thinking of you and how you are unbelievably living without an oven!
Kim @ BusyBod
January 22, 2014 at 7:24 amAs far as I’m concerned, being able to improvise IS magic. I have an anxiety attack if I don’t have what I need on hand. These look delicious 🙂
kathy @ vodka and soda
January 22, 2014 at 7:32 ami have zero creativity in the kitchen. if a recipe has instructions, i follow them. i really do envy bitches like you who know how to substitute things or create things on the fly. you make the rest of us look bad. stop it already! love youuuuuuu!
Nicole @ FruitnFitness
January 22, 2014 at 7:46 amThese sound so good! If I’m planning to make a recipe I’ll pick up stuff at the store but frequently, especially with baking, I just start. Often times just starting, like you, leads to quite a few recipe adaptations as I realize I don’t have the things I thought I did.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
January 22, 2014 at 7:47 amI usually get the gist of what I need written out beforehand, but sometimes just going through the produce section will spark an idea or seeing a new grain will bring on the creatively in the moment.
When I was little I used to wish I actually did live in the grocery store. I was daydream about having endless foods to cook with and try right at my fingers tips! Haha!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:18 pmI love being inspired at the grocery store! And playing grocery store was definitely my fav game. I loved my pretend cash register!
Lucie@FitSwissChick
January 22, 2014 at 8:20 amI admire you for forgetting about the white chocolate chips!! I think they wouldn’t even make it from the grocery bag to my drawer.
I’m already in love with these, cause white chocolate is my fave. And dates!!! Hell yes.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:21 pmTrust me, if I’d known they were there they would have my demolished! I probably hid them on purpose then forgot!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
January 22, 2014 at 8:29 amOhhhh these remind me of the combo that I was basically obsessed with over the holidays. So.freaking.good. And yup! Definitely been in that position before. That’s how some of my recipes unintentionally turned out vegan 🙂
Erin @ The Almond Eater
January 22, 2014 at 8:45 amHaha I’m kind of the same way–I’ll think of a recipe and then be like MUST..MAKE….RIGHT…NOW. Only I never have the ingredients I need and then I either A) Have to make a trip to the grocery store immediately or B) Wait until the weekend. Lately because of the weather I’ve gone with B. These look really good–I do need to start making my own bars.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:22 pmYou can make these and I’ll make your almond energy bites! Now gotta get me some Justin’s vanilla AB!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com
January 22, 2014 at 9:05 amThese bars are pure magic – they remind me of homemade Larabars (which I am a huge fan of) – so moist and droolworthy!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
January 22, 2014 at 9:22 amWow this sounds like a KILLER flavor combo. I love how easy this recipe is as well! Hooray for food processors!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
January 22, 2014 at 9:46 amYou’re definitely braver then I am when it comes to winging recipes. I have no problem doing it for something I’m cooking, but it definitely makes me nervous if I’m baking something. Definitely not confident enough in my baking skills!
Ang @ Nutty for Life
January 22, 2014 at 9:57 amI love the photo styling you did to these. And the graphic lettering on the top photo is really pretty too. This is reminiscent cranberries and oranges are so fresh tasting and wonderful, and I know that they would pair perfectly with the creaminess of cashews. Since I am still super new to recipe creation, I plan things out. Except for those really ugly but tasty green turkey mini meatloaves I made once, those were total improv.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:24 pmYou got me at “really ugly green turkey mini meatloves”. I hope that’s how you titled the post! I would have been sold without even looking at the recipe….
phone just vibed! I think it’s you 🙂
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance
January 22, 2014 at 10:07 amI am glad you made the mistake because these look awesome! I definitely need all the ingredients to make anything. If I don’t have something that means a trip to the grocery store…for the hubs, not me!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs for Food
January 22, 2014 at 10:54 amThese look great! I definitely find myself realizing mid-recipe that I’m missing a key ingredient. I also have a bad habit of buying stuff I already have and forgetting the one thing I need.
Amy @ Long Drive Journey
January 22, 2014 at 11:04 amUm, yum!!! I looooove things that I don’t have to bake! I am trying to imagine the taste of these two things together (cran and orange), and I can’t, BUT doesn’t mean I’m not gonna make them!! Delicious!!
Courtney @RunningforCupcakes
January 22, 2014 at 11:38 amWow those look amazing! As soon as I buy a food processor I will be making these! Sometimes I plan out recipes but most of the time it’s spur of the moment with whatever I have in the kitchen.
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds
January 22, 2014 at 12:02 pmI never bake, so knowing damn well I will mess it up makes me anal about following directions. I go to the store and scrutinize my list about 10 times, then triple check the directions once I get started. Baking stresses me out!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:26 pmWell these are no-bake so maybe you could handle them? probably not…
Kim
January 22, 2014 at 2:40 pmI think it’s so amazing that you can just “think up” recipes like this!! I can barely think up a sandwich idea!!!
Jillienne @ ChasingRaspberries
January 22, 2014 at 2:58 pmYum yum yum! These are perfect pre-workout!
KAT
January 22, 2014 at 3:36 pmLOVE!! This is one of those combos that I crave non stop. Something so amazing about all these flavors together! And I typically do plan before I bake, although I have run into a snag once or twice. I typically just yell at my hubby till he rescues me and goes and picks up what I need 😉
Alex @ Kenzie Life
January 22, 2014 at 4:09 pmOooh heck yes! These look awesome! I love oranges, cranberries, and white chocolate. Such an awesome flavor combination of sweet and tart!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs
January 22, 2014 at 4:16 pmSO glad you got to make these in the end! White chocolate + orange + cranberries is such a killer combo.
These bars look like the perfect healthy snack. I’ll take a dozen, please! ;–)
Arman @ thebigmansworld
January 22, 2014 at 5:01 pmTHIS IS NO BAKE WHICH MEANS I CAN MAKE IT. I don’t have a blender or a food processor on me so maybe I’ll get a meat smasher and smash the dried fruits…Why am I so smart? I love winging recipes with what I have on hand…lends to some strange combinations. Hi!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:28 pmI’m still entirely confused how you could make these in a meat smasher. I’m just envisioning you with a huge hammer hammering at the dates and crans and it’s kind of amazing. Your arms look killer in this mental image by the way…I have a crush on you.
Tara
January 22, 2014 at 5:31 pmIt is still pretty impressive how you can just pull things out of your ass and make something that looks so delicious. I am the worst at baking, but am trying a little harder now that I got my new Kitchenaid.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:29 pmAh I saw that beaut!
The other day C and I were talking about things that we needed to buy to furnish our apartment. I told him we didn’t need anything cause I already have my standmixer. Beds are overrated…..
Sarah @ Feeeding the Brain and Body
January 22, 2014 at 6:56 pmI often wing it but occasionally when I am craving something very specific I make sure I have everything. These bars look so great, I love cranberries!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
January 22, 2014 at 7:03 pmOmg, I run into that problem all the time! But then sometimes I run into the opposite problem where I think my house is a Bulk Barn and I decide to stock up on ALL THE INGREDIENTS, and then I actually have too much extra food in my house. I can’t win haha.
These look like an awesome improvisation though!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:30 pmI spent $70 at bulk barn the other day…FML.
Reba- Not So Perfect Life
January 22, 2014 at 7:47 pmI try to write everything down before I got but I always end up having to go back and grab something! I love these bars, very Lara baresk
Sarah Pie
January 22, 2014 at 8:17 pmImprov is the best! You never know what you’re going to get, but these look amazing 🙂
Amanda
January 22, 2014 at 9:01 pmI usually follow recipes but that’s mostly because I’m boring when it comes to food.
Madison @ Eating 4 Balance
January 22, 2014 at 10:26 pmEvery recipe I make I just kind of wing it. It’s a rare moment when I actually follow the instructions 100%. Usually I’ll have some concept in my head, but then just work it out as I guess. The best way in my opinion!
You made a great choice adding the white chocolate drizzle on top. That just took these bars from yum to OMG. Haha. 😉
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:36 pmI LOVE talking to fellow “wing-it” bloggers <--yes I just coined that term! I think cooking and baking is my one outlet for creativity, so I figure why not go wild?!?!
Nikki @ will run for pizza
January 22, 2014 at 11:13 pmThose bars look and sound deeelish! I wish I was creative in the kitchen like you, but no. I have to stalk food bloggers for recipes that I can follow and then make those, post about them, and pass the credit to where the creativity belongs. 😉 but hey, at least I can follow a recipe right?!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:40 pmEqually as great! There are many people in the world who can’t even follow a recipe!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
January 23, 2014 at 12:42 amFor some reason, these remind me of Halloween. And Halloween reminds me of fall. And fall reminds me of Thanksgiving. I miss the holidays. To soon to start a Thanksgiving count down?
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate
January 23, 2014 at 1:33 amI love Lara-type bars like this, and the white chocolate just makes these 100 times better.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:41 pmI wanna try your PF protein bars!!! I saved a few packs to make them 🙂
Shawn @ Fruity 'N' Nutty
January 23, 2014 at 1:47 amThat is exactly how the magic happens! 😉
I love how you always share these little anecdotes before you move on to the recipes. Especially since most recipes are way out of my league, regardless, these look really delicious!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:45 pmGirl this recipe legit only requires throwing a bunch of things in a food processor and then a freezer. Probably the easiest of any of my recipes!!! But in the meantime I’m glad someone appreciates my stories hehe
Jessie
January 23, 2014 at 3:40 amConfession: I’m jealous of you & your creativeness. No lie, I wish I could just whip up something that looks this good. I really need to start bulking up on dates when I buy because so many of your recipes always call for them, and by the time I go to make one.. I’m out 🙁 boo!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:47 pmHA you are so right, my recipes use a lot of dates! How did I never realize this? Wish I could send you some of my stash!
Alexis @ Hummusapien
January 23, 2014 at 8:19 amThese are so dreamy!! I’ve been obsessed with adding fresh orange juice and zest into goodies lately. It’s kinda like my way of escaping to the tropics pretending it isn’t negative a million degrees outside.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 9:49 pmIf I closed my eyes and plugged my ears I might even believe I’m in florida eating a Fla orange cranberry bar…k bad joke. I just wanted to comment cause I want to respond to all of your comments 🙂
Mary Frances
January 23, 2014 at 9:01 amYou are not alone. But I won’t admit to how much time exactly I spend in there 🙂 Love the white chocolate and orange combo! So fresh and bright – goodness knows we need something like that right now!
Heather @ Run Like a G!
January 23, 2014 at 9:46 amThey look yummy!!!
Heather @ Run Like a G!
January 23, 2014 at 9:48 amPS~I read your comment on my blog about Drake – does he go to your gym?!?!?!!?!?
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:04 pmhaha yea I guess I confirmed this in my random ramblings 🙂
cait @pieceofcait
January 23, 2014 at 10:19 amooooh I love this combo! this would be amazing with afternoon tea or coffee.
Gabby @ the veggie nook
January 23, 2014 at 11:01 amSometimes the best recipes are those that happen on the fly or as a result of improper planning. I constantly do this (can seem to plan every other aspect of my life but not having proper groceries on hand…) and some of my most popular recipes have resulted. These look fantastic and I bet they never would have happened if you’d had those cherries 🙂 So I for one am quite pleased you didn’t have any and that there was a snowstorm. Ok maybe not happy about the snow storm, but silver lining?
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:07 pmPicked up some dried cherries at the bulk barn so I may just have to make both happen!
Nikki @ Quest for Balance
January 23, 2014 at 3:53 pmThese sound unreal. If it wasn’t so ridiculously freezing out I would totally trek it to the grocery store to grab the ingredients. But, since it’s practically the arctic tundra today, I’ll have to wait until my roomie drive my ass to the grocery store during our weekly trip. Totally being made for next week’s snacks though. Thanks for the recipe love!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:14 pmThis damn polar vortex is totally cramping my style!
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat
January 23, 2014 at 4:28 pmYou are so right, that is exactly how magic happens! I love it when I’m pleasantly surprised by the results of winging it!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:15 pmNothing more satisfying! Nice to see you pop in Heather 🙂 if it weren’t for the white chocolate melting these would be perfect for Raw Foods Thursday!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast
January 23, 2014 at 5:24 pmOoh, yummy!! I have dates I’ve been waiting to turn into some version of this. As for recipes and throwing things in, I do a lot of both… sometimes winging it, sometimes not.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:16 pmAnything involving the food processor (or slow cooker!) tends to be a mish mash of ingredients. Then I cross my fingers and hope it turns out!
Paige@FitNotFad
January 23, 2014 at 7:01 pmI’ve never thought to put orange and cranberry together but what a good idea! And I can’t eat white chocolate anymore since my senior year of high school I melted a whole bag and drenched strawberries in the stuff and spent the entire night throwing up….but these look so good!! If you can make ME crave white chocolate you’ve created something beautiful 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:18 pmI’m going to pretend I didn’t read that so I can still eat white chocolate lol!!! But I feel the same way about doritos…scarring.
Jordan Lynn // Life Between Lattes
January 23, 2014 at 7:36 pmAhhh, anything with dates is a home run! Unfortunately for me, I don’t have access to my food processor at the moment – so sad for me.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
January 23, 2014 at 9:42 pmI’d say this is one awesome mistake! I’m just getting into date recipes and they’re magical. I can only imagine how good they taste too!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:20 pmI’m sold on anything that doesn’t require me to use the oven. Though admittedly I turned on the oven while making these cause it was so damn cold in my house I needed it to warm me up!
Melanie @ HappyBeingHealthy
January 24, 2014 at 12:44 amThose bars look phenomenal and I’m LOVING the white chocolate drizzled on top. YUM!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
January 24, 2014 at 1:08 amAh yes, this is a familiar problem! I do a mix of winging recipes and planning them out, but even when I plan them out, half the time I inevitably forgot a thing or two. Whoops!
Robyn @thereallife_RD
January 24, 2014 at 9:57 amthese look amazing and a snack you can throw in your bag without worrying it will get crushed or melt. pinning now!!
I’m a total winger [is that a word?] when it comes to recipes except for baking…I tried winging that and then realized measurements are kind of important. Have a fabulous weekend!!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:24 pmhaha sort of…fortunately these were no-bake!!!
Thanks for sharing on your blog, love!
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner
January 24, 2014 at 12:52 pmThat is awesome that you can be so creative on the fly! Happy accident because these bars look delicious! I write my ideas down on post it notes. 🙂
Cassie
January 24, 2014 at 9:44 pmI think I literally pin every one of your recipes. These would be so good pre-workout or during a long-run, I love it!! Also can you teach me to be such an awesome food-stylist, food-photographer as you? I’d love it, thanks. You’re my blogger inspo.
I usually half-prepare, half-wing. I, like you, think [wish] I lived in a grocery store so I end up not having something. I usually think about what I want to make, look at a bunch of recipes for inspiration, then wing it from there.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:25 pmI’ll send you my “tips” in my next email. Also quinoa in a mug muffin <--you are my inspo!
Luv What You Do
January 25, 2014 at 12:16 amThese are my kind of bars!!!
Jess
January 25, 2014 at 9:42 amYum, these bars look amazing! 🙂
elle sees
January 25, 2014 at 3:12 pmomg i’ll take a dozen to go, please! those look amazing and i’m not a big w.c. kinda gal. but a little drizzle and i’m IN
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:26 pmCan’t go wrong with a little drizzle 😉
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli
February 3, 2014 at 12:35 amHaha! Love it! I’m the same way! But honestly, most of my “winging it” approaches turn out better than the ones I plan out! 😉
Clyde
February 5, 2014 at 12:56 amI relish, result in I found just what I was having a
look for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
print and design companies
February 13, 2014 at 2:35 pmThanks for a marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading
it, you can be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and
will eventually come back down the road. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice day!
Deanna
October 6, 2014 at 5:44 pmWOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for dubai girls
Beverly
October 18, 2014 at 12:13 amIf some one desires expert view about blogging and site-building after that i advise him/her to
pay a quick visit this blog, Keep up the good work.
mosquito.co.mz
October 26, 2014 at 2:04 amExcellent web site. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to a few
friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And obviously, thanks for your effort!