Name: scd cherry pecan crumb bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 38 min
Ingredients: 2 cups pitted cherries; 1 tbsp. lemon juice; 1 tbsp. honey; 1/4 tsp. salt; 1 tbsp. coconut flour; 1.5 cups almond flour; 1/3 cup coconut flour; 1 tsp. baking powder; 1/4 tsp. salt; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 1/4 cup honey; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 2 tbsp creamy almond butter; 2 tsp. vanilla; 2 tsp. cinnamon; 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

The summer fruit dessert of my dreams! These sweet cherry-filled bars with a buttery pecan crumb topping have been baked on repeat in my kitchen this month.

Best part: these are totally specific-carbohydrate-diet-friendly, refined-sugar-free, and can easily be made paleo & vegan (just sub coconut oil for butter!)

A Healthy Grain-free Cherry Dessert

I’m usually one to go for chocolatey desserts, but in the summer months I always find myself craving the zesty & bright seasonal fruit flavors.

healthy grain-free refined-sugar-free dessert recipe

I’ve been having so much fun experimenting in the kitchen with seasonal fruits and vegetables recently. Since cherries are perfectly in season right now, a ton of cherry desserts have been baked in my house this past month… no complaints here.

Finding and creating desserts that also support my efforts to help manage my recent IBD diagnosis has become one of my favorite hobbies this summer! I have the BIGGEST sweet tooth so testing out crazy dessert ideas that also follow the specific carbohydrate diet guidelines has been a fun challenge for me.

I also hate the feeling of that dreaded “crash” after eating too much of a sugar-filled dessert…

That is yet another reason why it’s become so important to me to share the desserts I’ve created that make me feel good! I don’t use any refined sugar, gluten, or grains in my recipes now and I always feel satisfied and energized after treating myself to something sweet before bed.

Some of my favorite ways to use all of the cherries we’ve picked include my scd cherry gouda donuts, my scd blueberry rhubarb crisp (with cherries subbed for the blueberries), and even added on top of my scd microwave muffin that I make almost every morning!

These crumb bars are also incredibly easy to make! This recipe has never failed to come out of the oven perfectly. Between the firm crust, soft cherry center, nutty crunch from the pecans, & the buttery golden-brown crumb topping, one of these bars have been my go-to after dinner treat.

How to Make Cherry Crumb Bars

Step 1: Make the filling: combine the pitted cherries, lemon juice, honey, and salt. Put over medium heat for about 10 minutes before mashing the cherries and adding the coconut flour.

Step 2: Make the crust/crumb mixture: combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, salt, and chopped pecans in a large mixing bowl.

how to make a healthy almond flour crust

Step 3: Add in the honey, melted butter, almond butter, vanilla, apple cider vinegar, and cinnamon. Beat with an electric mixer.

how to make healthy pecan cherry crumb bars

Step 4: Press 2/3 of the crust/crumb mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 9×9″ pan & bake.

Step 5: Top the baked crust with the cherry filling. Then evenly sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the filling.

Step 6: Bake again & let cool completely before slicing into bars. Enjoy!