Happy Holidays ladies!
Ok let’s be honest – the Holidays are gonna look a lil’ different this year. Just a lil’. We won’t be seeing the usual stream of endless parties, big get-togethers or crowded holiday events – that’s for sure.
Instead of being bummed – I’ve decided to be excited about it! This is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (umm, let’s HOPE so)... to slow our roll & actually enjoy the season void of stress and hassle.
Think of it as a “forced” respite from the obligations we inevitably feel every year around this time. You know what I mean – office parties, friends parties, “we-should-go” parties, small get-togethers with girlfriends – you get the idea.
There’s something to be said for having zero obligation-pressure. PLUS, we can use the time to truly recharge and start the new year off refreshed – instead of exhausted and in some cases, hungover, lol.
Holiday Baking is STILL ON Baby!
Holiday baking is THE BEST part of the Season, amiright?!! I LOVE holiday baking and there are so many delicious recipes to choose from, I can hardly stand it!!
Festive! Cranberry-Orange Snack Bars
with Pepitas, Pecans, Dark & White No-Sugar Chocolate
These festive Cranberry-Orange Snack Bars are just the perfect way to totally feel the Christmas spirit, yet feel energized and good after eating them. They’re a (healthy) festive snack or treat that you keep in the fridge!
I’ve packed these little gems with Oats, Flax Seed, Pecans, Pepitas & (unsweetened) Peanut Butter – then added orange zest and dried cranberries for a super fun holiday snack that’s healthy to boot!
Kitchen tools for Holiday Baking
White Mixing Bowls
Pyrex Mixing Bowls
Measuring Cups
Nested Serving Platters
About the Chocolate……
Yes – it’s actually Sugar-Free! There are a lot of great sugar-free chocolate products on the market. They simply use a sugar-substitute such as monk-fruit or erythritol as the sweetener. Honestly, you really can’t tell the difference.
In this recipe, I used Bake Believe Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips. They came in a Trio of Dark, Semi-Sweet and White Chocolate – which is what inspired me to use & drizzle the white chocolate on top 😉
Of course you can totally omit the chocolate – the bars are delicious on their own. I made them with chocolate “bottoms” then drizzled sugar-free white chocolate on top, just to be festive. Totally optional.
First, I slathered melted dark chocolate over the bars while still in the baking dish & placed in the freezer to set for 30-min. Then I flipped them over so that the chocolate was now on the bottom and drizzled melted white chocolate over the top. Into the fridge to set for 20-minutes – then sliced into bars. Pretty!
These dried cranberries are unsweetened. Believe it or not – most dried cranberries on the market have added sugar! These do not. The orange zest gives the bars an elevated, citrusy back note that says “holidays!”
Flax Seed Meal
Pepitas
Dried Cranberries
No-Sugar Syrup
No-Sugar Choc Chips
FESTIVE! Cranberry Orange Snack Bars (Gluten-free, Sugar-free, No-Bake)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1¼ cups rolled oats, gluten-free
- ½ cup flax seed meal
- 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1 cup pepitas
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries, unsweetened
- 1¼ tsp orange zest
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ tsp kosher sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1¼ cup peanut butter, unsweetened, no salt
- ¾ cup no-sugar maple syrup
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate
- ¾ cup no-sugar, dark chocolate chips + 1 TB coconut oil
- ⅓ cup no-sugar white chocolate chips + 1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a 9×9 baking dish with 2 strips of parchment paper. Drape strips over sides of dish, to serve as “handles” to easily lift bars out of dish.
- Place all Dry Ingredients in a large mixing bowl, tossing to combine. Set aside.
- In a microwavable medium mixing bowl, place wet ingredients (peanut butter, syrup & vanilla). Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time until mixture is fully integrated and creamy.
- Add wet ingredients to dry – and mix together until fully combined. I used my hands because it’s easier than a spatula!
- Press the mixture evenly into the baking dish. Set aside & prepare the dark chocolate.
- In a small microwavable mixing bowl, place dark chocolate chips & coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time until melted & smooth.
- Slather chocolate on top of bar mixture. Place in fridge or freezer for about 30-minutes to allow everything to set.
- Remove. Using parchment paper handles, remove bars – flip over & place back into dish.
- Prepare white chocolate – same as dark. Microwave, stir until creamy.
- With a spoon – drizzle white chocolate over bars in back & forth motions on the diagonal. Place back in fridge or freezer to set.
- Remove bars from baking dish & slice into actual “bars” or into smaller square. Your choice! Enjoy 😉
