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These Cherry-Date Raw Bars can be made in 5 minutes with just 6 ingredients, and they are oil-free and sugar-free. If you’re looking for a super easy and healthy dessert or snack, these are it.

Does anyone else get a dessert craving after dinner like I do? It’s seriously every damn time. I usually head straight for a spoonful of vegan chocolate chips and peanut butter, but sometimes, it’s better to have something a little healthier when that sugar craving strikes.
These Cherry-Date Raw Bars are sweet, using only the sweetness of dates, oil-free and completely addicting. AND you get bonus points for making these Cherry-Date Raw Bars entirely on the counter- no oven required.
How to make these cherry-date raw bars:
To begin, add a sheet of parchment paper to the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish (silicon or glass works well). I usually place a large utensil on it temporarily to keep it in place.
Then, in a food processor, add the walnuts and ground flax seed. Blend until crumbly and fine. Then, add the medjool dates, unsweetened cocoa, vanilla and cherries. Blend until smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor and stir and blend a few times until smooth.
Transfer to the 8×8 baking dish covered in parchment paper. Using your hands or a large spoon, spread and press down until even.
Freeze for 1 hour. Cut into squares and enjoy. Makes 20 small squares. Keep frozen in an airtight container or in the fridge.
Dates are one of my favorite ways to add sweetness to desserts. Below are a few more date recipes worth trying: =)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Chocolate Almond Dates
- Cinnamon Almond Date Bites
- Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
- Superfood Acai Bars
If you make these Cherry-Date Raw Bars, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your photo with #veggie__chick on Instagram.
Cherry-Date Raw Bars (6 ingredients, oil-free, sugar-free)
Pin RateEquipment
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups raw walnuts
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1 1/4 cups soft medjool dates - 1/2 pound, pitted (about 13-15 dates)
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries - thawed (and pitted)
Instructions
- Add parchment paper to the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish (silicon or glass works well).
- In a food processor, add walnuts and ground flax seed and blend until crumbly and fine. Add medjool dates, cocoa, vanilla and cherries. Blend until smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor and stir and blend a few times until smooth.
- Transfer to the 8×8 baking dish covered in parchment paper. Using your hands or a large spoon, spread and press down until even.
- Freeze for 1 hour. Cut into squares and enjoy. Makes 20 small squares. Keep frozen in an airtight container or in the fridge.
Carla Schneider says
I made these with pecans instead of walnuts, since walnuts hurt my mouth. I personally was not a fan BUT my husband said they were like a gourmet dessert at a fancy restaurant. My newly gluten-free, egg-free, peanut-free teenager loved them, too, and I’m glad to have an easy recipe for something yummy they can have.
Christin McKamey says
Hi Carla, I’m glad your family loved this recipe! =) Thanks so much for letting me know.
Noor Saadeh says
Looks good but i have no flax or chia seeds handy. Will it still work?
Christin McKamey says
You could blend up oats and use that instead? It may be a little too gooey without the flax. =)
Kelly says
YUMMM!! I LOVE these!! One of my favorite things ever now! I like them for breakfast as well as dessert ? Sometimes I swap the cherries with blueberries and I love that just as much! Thank you Christin!!
Christin McKamey says
YAAAAAAYYYYY thanks Kelly, so very happy you love them. I agree they are good for a snack, breakfast, dessert, whatever! I love the blueberry idea too! =)
Abagail says
Do you know how long these would last in the freezer? I am looking for something healthful, simple, & delicious to bring to share for a holiday dessert potluck at work that I can make a couple weeks ahead of time. Thank you!
Christin McKamey says
Hi Abagail, I haven’t frozen these yet for that long, but I would imagine if they are airtight, it would work very well. I would just put in the fridge the day before to defrost. Let me know how it works out. =)
Leslie says
We have made these three times so far at home. They are chocolaty and delicious. They really taste like a fudge brownie. Once we didn’t have any flax seeds at home, so we made them with chia seeds and they turned out fine that way too. They are definitely gooey, which is satisfying. Do you know what would happen if you baked them?
Christin McKamey says
Hi Leslie, so glad you like them! The chia seeds idea is great! And I have never baked them so I have no idea what would happen! =)