Lilsipper's Vegan Cherry Chocolate Protein Bars

I'm always surprised and inspired by creations Bethany puts together on @lilsipper and this is one of those recipes I had to make myself to believe it could be true. These breakfast, snack or dessert bars look deceivingly decedent, and only made with 5 super clean ingredients! Try for yourself, it only takes minutes to make. 

Lilsipper's Vegan Cherry Chocolate Protein Bars 

by Bethany Ugarte, lilsipper.com

• 2, 15oz can chickpeas (organic, unsalted, drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup pure apple sauce (unsweetened, or mashed banana)
• 1/2 cup hemp hearts (or coconut, or almond flour) 
• 1 cup frozen cherries (try not to eat the whole bag before adding to recipe like I did!) 
• 1 tsp almond extract and 1/2 vanilla bean (optional, for a culinary kick)
• 2-4 tbsp maple syrup (optional, if you want bars to be more sweet)
• dark chocolate chips to taste, I use these stevia sweetened
• dark chocolate bar, dry chopped to make chocolate shavings for topping (optional, l use this this)

Pre-heat oven to 350. Blend chickpeas, apple sauce, hemp hearts and optional almond extract, vanilla bean and maple syrup together until smooth. Chop up some of your frozen cherries and stir into bean batter with chocolate chips. Poor into a baking pan, spread evenly and top with chopped chocolate and whole cherries. Bake for 40-45min and allow to cool in refrigerator before slicing.