Cranberry-Cashew Energy Cups

Our Cranberry-Cashew Energy Cups are the perfect anytime pick-me-up. Heart-healthy oats are mixed with creamy cashew butter, sweet, dried cranberries and fiber-rich chia seeds. Dark chocolate chips add healthy polyphenols, and the sea salt topping is the genius touch that enhances all of the flavors. Store these in the fridge and grab one when you need an energy boost! Keep reading for our expert tips on ingredient substitutions, storage suggestions and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Do not skip adding coconut oil to the chocolate mixture. This ingredient helps provide a nice snap to the chocolate and helps prevent bloom, which are the white spots that can form when chocolate is refrigerated.
• We discovered that using the bottom of a measuring spoon to spread the chocolate is a quick and easy method.
• Using silicone or paper liners in the muffin tin makes cleanup easier; there is no sticking and the energy cups are easier to eat and transport.
• Make sure the chocolate is fully set before sprinkling on the flaky salt; otherwise, the salt will dissolve into the chocolate, losing its appealing, flaky appearance on top of the energy cups. You can tell when the chocolate is set because it will transition from shiny to matte.

Nutrition Notes

• Adding old-fashioned rolled oats to your diet is a total win. Oats are a source of a specific type of fiber called beta-glucan, which helps to pull harmful cholesterol out of the body—great for heart health. They also add a small amount of protein and energy-boosting carbs. While oats are naturally gluten free, they can be contaminated during processing. Look for certified gluten-free oats if you have an allergy.
• Chia seeds are small but mightily nutritious. They contain protein and fiber and are a plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower inflammation. 
• Cashew butter is available in grocery stores, but you could also make your own. It has a subtle flavor that lends well to mixing with stronger flavors, like chocolate and cranberries. Cashews contain healthy fats, fiber and protein, making them an ideal food choice for weight maintenance. 
• Dark chocolate chips contain more of the nutrient-rich cacao than sweeter milk chocolate. Cacao contains compounds called polyphenols that have been studied for potential benefits to cognitive health, especially improving mental concentration and memory.