Healthy Cherry Crisp Bars

 

My parent's cherry tree is bursting with ripe cherries this year so I took some home and made these bars. They are everything you want in a fruity dessert, but without all the added sugar. You'd never guess these were healthy and I will be making these time and time again!

The crisp is thick and delicious and the cherry filling compliments it so well. Serve this warm with some whipped cream or ice cream on top or eat as is. You won't regret it!

Healthy Cherry Crisp Bars

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1 tsp vanilla

10 oz. fresh cherries, pitted and sliced in half

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

3 Tbsp. maple syrup

2 tsp. cornstarch

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8 with parchment paper or nonstick spray.

2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, flour, salt and cinnamon.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, 1/3 cup maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla.

4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until a thick dough forms.

5. Press 1 cup of dough evenly into the bottom of 8×8 pan and set the rest aside.

6. In a saucepan, heat cherries, lemon juice and 3 Tbsp. maple syrup. Once cherries start to release liquid, press them down with a whisk to break them up.

7. Whisk in cornstarch. Let simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. The mixture will thicken.

8. Pour cherry mixture over crust dough. Sprinkle the remaining dough evenly on top.

9. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown. Serve warm or let cool. Store in fridge.

Adapted from Erin Lives Whole