You deserve a treat. How do I know? Well, you’re alive, aren’t you? You’re surviving in spite of it all, persisting in the face of obstacles both big and small. We’re all going through something and for that, we’ve earned a little reward. Just a bit more kindness to soften the harsh edges of life would go a long way, so here’s my suggestion for how to start.

A Treat For All Tastes

The concept behind these sprinkle-encrusted morsels is far from original. In fact, they’re inspired by my original recipe found in Real Food, Really Fast, but simplified for an already overly complicated world. This new rendition uses only 4 main ingredients; 6 if you count salt and vanilla, which feel like a given, if you ask me. Now the recipe can boast being:

• Oil-free
• Gluten-free
• Refined sugar-free
• No-bake
• And as always, dairy-free, eggless, and vegan

Plus, I’ve removed the protein powder to make it more accessible. Almonds and cashews already have plenty of protein as is, thank you very much.

Substitutions to Sweeten the Pot

Consider this the most basic flavor, with infinite options to spin off of. A few of my favorites include:

• Cookie dough: Swap the sprinkles for chocolate chips.
• Peanut butter cookie: Swap the cashew butter for chunky peanut butter and the sprinkles for chopped, roasted peanuts.
• Mint chocolate chip: Add 1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, and swap the sprinkles for mini chocolate chips.
• Chocolate-covered cherry: Add 1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder and swap the sprinkles for dried cherries. Drizzle with melted chocolate to put it over the top!

Treat Yourself

It’s not just a cheeky saying; treat yourself, early and often. Treat yourself like you mean it. Treat yourself because you got out of bed today. Treat yourself because you’re alive. A little bit of sweetness in a bitter world goes a long way.

Continue to Content

Yield: Makes 8 Bars

Cake Batter Snack Bars

Print

Treat yourself to healthy snack bars that taste like decadent cake batter! It's a well-deserved indulgence you can feel good about.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup Raw Cashew Butter
• 1/3 Cup Maple Syrup
• 2 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 1/2 Cups Fine Almond Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Sprinkles, Divided

Instructions

1. Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly grease.
   
2. In a medium bowl, mix the cashew butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Add the almond flour and 2 tablespoons of sprinkles, mixing thoroughly to incorporate. It will seem dry at first but eventually come together in a thick, cohesive dough.
   
3. Transfer to your prepared pan and use a spatula to press it down in an even layer. Top with the remaining sprinkles and gently press them in to adhere.
   
4. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before slicing into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap and store them in your freezer. Thaw for at least 5 minutes before enjoying

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Artisana, Organics Raw Cashew Butter, 14 oz (397 g)
• 
  Bob's Red Mill, Super-Fine Almond Flour, 16 oz (453 g)
• 
  Now Foods, Real Food, Organic Maple Syrup, Grade A, Amber Color, 32 fl oz (946 ml)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 286Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 182mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 13gProtein: 6g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.