Wannabe Recipea: Gingerbread “Cliff” Bars
You know what’s the worst?
Staying up until midnight watching the Survivor finale and then having your phone alarm go off at 5:45.
Only your phone fell off your nightstand and under your bed and you have to scramble around and try to find it before the whole house wakes up and you have to workout with an audience.
And they totally call you out when you do girl pushups.
Also the worst? Getting icing caked on your jeans that you just washed for the first time in three months.
You know what’s the best?
Six days until Christmas.
No lunches to pack, no homework to do, no ballet practice, no pneumonia.
Making a gingerbread house with two of your favorite people in the whole world.
Also the best? These bars.
Gingerbread “Cliff” Bars
Makes 9 bars
- 1/2 c. oat flour (or old-fashioned oats, ground into a flour)
- 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 c. vanilla protein powder + additional 3T. for icing
- 1 T. baking powder
- 1/2 t. salt
- 2 t. cinnamon
- 2 t. ginger
- 1/2 t. nutmeg
- 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 c. molasses
- 1 t. vanilla
- 1/2 c. non-dairy or organic milk + additional 1-2 T. for icing
- stevia to taste (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease or spray an 8×8 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine oat flour, oats, protein powder, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
In a smaller bowl, combine applesauce, molasses, vanilla and milk.
Add applesauce mixture to oat mixture and stir until just combined. Add stevia to taste, if desired.
Pour mixture into baking pan and bake for 20-15 minutes, until bar is set and pulling away from edge of pan.
Allow to cool completely. You can expedite the process by popping the bars in the fridge or freezer.
For icing, mix together 3 T. of protein powder with 1-2 T. of milk to form a thick icing. Add stevia to taste.
Scoop icing into a resealable plastic bag and snip the corner with a pair of scissors.
Pipe icing across cooled bars and stick bars in fridge or freezer to allow icing to set, if desired.
Cut into squares. Store remaining bars in the fridge.
Have you tried the gingerbread Clif bars? I promise you, these are far, far tastier.
I know, because I took the one smack dab out of the middle. That’s my right.
They are sweet, spicy, cakey and even a bit doughy.
The icing makes them taste naughty, but they are oh so nice.
Do yourself a favor.
Do at least one real pushup. I know you can.
Build a gingerbread house. So what if it’s messy?
Make these bars. For breakfast. For dessert. Whatever.
Eat the middle one.
And wash your jeans, for goodness sake.
*************
Other Wannabe Recipeas:
Thanks for stepping up and announcing how long you go between jean washings!
We should be friends because I prefer the edges!
Three months was generous. You need one of those edge only baking pans!
i never even though of making an icing with protein powder! these look amazing!! and i brought your PB cookie dough balls to work today, and everyone loveddd them. obviously
Awesome! And yes, you can frost pretty much anything with that “frosting.”
I am so making these!! and I’m sorry to say that I cannot to a real pushup….
Yes, you can, I know you can!
These look ridiculously delicious!
They are so damn good. Yes, that cost me a dollar. I’ll say it again. Damn good.
Another add to the baking list! Loving the protein icing too.
You are GENIUS!! I’m heading into my kitchen to make these right now. I’ll do more than one pushup since I’m sure I’ll eat more than one bar
You are going to love them! I’m so excited that you are making these!!!
The protein icing is brilliant! Great idea.
I make it with cocoa powder too for a chocolate “frosting.”
I think you should send a batch of these to each of your readers. Or just me.
Ha ha! In my free time, right?
Those look amazing! Going to store tomorrow and trying them out! I’m up to 5 real pushups!
Yay you!!!
Looks delish! I made the hushpuppy bites last week and oh my…were those ever yummy!
I’m not even sure I can do a girl pushup.
Of course you can. You can do anything if you set your mind to it.
I am sure you have shared this before, but what kind of vanilla protein powder did you use? If you wrote it in the post and I just missed it, forgive me, I have been wrapping Santa gifts late into the night when everyone finally sleeps.
I buy the rice/pea blend from Pure Protein.com. We’ve been wrapping too!
Ohhh…I’m excited to try these. My partner *loves* the gingerbread cliff bars. Thanks so much for all your recipes!
Lane, these are SO much better. You must make them!
Oh wow these look so good!! I actually have all the ingredients too- no reason not to make them right this second! These will be a great snack!
I had to go to the store for ginger today. I am jealous you have all the ingredients!
They turned out fabulous!! I’m thinking paired with a piece of fruit this will be the perfect snack after my spin class tomorrow!
Oh good! So glad you like them!
*sing-song voice*
yum! Yum! YUMMMM!
Can’t wait to bake those! I think tomorrow morning I’ll get right to it.
Too bad my rice protein powder tastes so gross… But I’ll try the icing anyway!
And I’ll wear my yoga pants. Just in case.
You need to find some protein powder you like. It makes all the difference. If you aren’t soy adverse, I’d recommend trying Spirutein to ease into the protein powder game. It’s delicious!
I used to love those Clif bars! I’d stock up since they were seasonal. So yes, I’ll make these. No, I will not wash my jeans.
Okay. I will not smell them.
Oh my gosh. Protein powder icing? I just cried a little.
Whenever we made brownies or anything in a square pan, we always had to cut it so there were TWO middle so my sister and I could both have one… pretty sure we still fought over the BETTER middle piece ;D But I must made these. I am so sad that Clif bars are not gluten free but these can easily be made that way and that makes me sooo happy!! Thanks!
Middle piece is the best! Especially when making cinnamon rolls. I should make cinnamon rolls.
YUM. I cannot wait to make these!!! You are a genius.
I hope you love ‘em!
Yum!!!! And love the new hair and pic Mama Pea!
Thanks, it’s even curlier now…I’ve been rehabilitating it
I love the curly girl method for that- as a fellow curly girl I am always psyched when fellow curlies embrace their God given texture!!!
YES!!! That’s exactly what we are doing to a T. I’m excited to see what happens.
YAY!!!!!!! Love it! I still use shampoo. I use a phosphate free and do low poo. You might need to actually do something to clean out the product from your hair. Good Luck!!!! It is looking great!
I did an initial cleanse with a sulfate based poo and now we’re doing no poo/no silcone products. It’s only been about a week, but so far so good. And I think you’ll like what I have planned for tomorrow
Lol. Meant sulphate free. Can’t wait to see what surprise you have in store!!!!
They are sweet, spicy, cakey and even a bit doughy. – sounds like something we would love!!!
and yes eating the middle is the best part!!!
Genius! So psyched that I can now have my beloved Gingerbread Clifs year-round
No more pneumonia, yay!!
Yup. Still using my inhaler, but the antibiotics are long gone!
Yum! These look so good. I like that you used protein powder in the icing! I’m going to have to make these soon
These look super delicious
isn’t a break from school awesome? Teachers love it too…
Today was the best day I’ve had in a long, long time.
I love Clif bars . . . so excited to try these!
can you do the clif Z bars as your next WANNABE??? or one of them? I throw away so much money on those things!! these look great!
Which flavor…brownie or chocolate chip?
EXCELLENT idea!!! My three kids eat one of the chocolate brownie or chocolate chip ZBars every morning and I am going BROKE!
Really? I don’t even think they are that good! I’ll get to work on those Zsss.
They aren’t but when you leave the house at 6:45 and they have to eat in the car they are EASY! I’m pretty lazy in the morning
Mmmm I love Clif bars!! These gingerbread ones look delicious- especially with the frosting!!
btw, I love the new photo of you on the side of your blog! Gorgeous.
Thanks, you’re so sweet!
These look soooo good! I love the seasonal Clif Bar offerings..from the gingerbread to the pumpkin to the peppermint ones…they are all so tasty. And now, I don’t have to have gingerbread hoarding mentality because I can make my own at home, leisurely.
The icing…uses protein powder, that’s it..and vegan milk…not tons of cream cheese and powdered sugar? Genius!
And love that you not only took the center cut bar but that you got it OUT so well. I need those skills!
Thanks! You should try these, they’re awesome.
Making these…..NOW. Oh wait…its 10:30 at night. Meh….sleep can wait, ginger bread is more important!
Good choice
Looks great–I’ve been all over the gingerbread recipes lately. Today it was gingerbread biscotti!
And I feel you with the dirtied jeans. Yesterday I dumped powdered sugar ALL OVER my jeans and fleece. Didn’t stop me from rewearing both today though…most of the sugar brushed off! My dog couldn’t stop licking my legs though….
One more reason we need to get a dog…
My mom and I stayed up late watching the Survivor finale too!
Nothing was really that earth-shattering. I did feel terrible for Brandon, though
These look delicious! And oh how I love Cliff bars! Thanks for finding a way to make them healthier!
Mama Pea… you are amazing.
Well, thanks
I’m thinking of trying to make these with almond meal instead of oat flour and oatmeal. Think it would work?
Yes, but they’ll definitely be more dense and less fluffy.
Haha, those six am workout wakeup calls can be nasty, that is for sure. Why does tv always have to play the best shows so late?! Awesome bars Mama.
Love this recipe Mama Pea. Just bookmarked it and pinned it so I won’t forget to make them.
PS- Speaking of having an audience while you workout… Isaac will sit on the couch and watch me do a workout DVD and then comment on my form. haha. In the words of Stephanie Tanner – How Rude!
Oh Issac. And I love the Steph Tanner quote
Fantastic idea to make Clif-ish bars at home. Yours look beautiful, and so cute with the swirly icing. Love the idea of making granola/health bars at home using natural ingredients. Scary what comes in a box these days, isn’t it?
These are much, MUCH cheaper too!
oooh, these look so good! i’ll definitely try them – especially because i find that cliff bars upset my stomach, i’m not sure what it is that’s in them but i bet homemade ones will be just fine.
happy holidays to you & yours!
Brilliant taking the bar from the middle!
The same thing happened to me this morning, only it was 6:01 and when I finally found my phone I turned off my alarm and went back to bed. Woops.
That’s what I should have done. I’m tired.
i so wish i had this whole week off…man. when did i get old?!
Wait, you wash your jeans every three months? Overachiever! I try to make it at least four.
We just assembled a gingerbread house tonight. I tried to be all ‘real’ and bake it myself, but now the sides aren’t exactly even, probably because I didn’t measure the dough height when rolling and cutting. But seriously, who has time for that? I’m thinking pre-bought has it’s advantages.
It certainly did. Best $9 I ever spent.
The middle pieces are always the best. I totally don’t understand those edge pans. Who wants to crummy ends? I did one real push-up just to see if I could do it. Yup! But no more than just that one…guess I need to work on it!
I’ve not had the original type, but I certainly want these! Impressive nutritional summary too, although after looking at your pictures, I’m not sure if I would have been held off by ‘poor’ nutritional information
I used to love the gingerbread holiday flavor cliff bars. In fact, I’d wait all year long just for the limited time holiday flavors
Can’t wait to try these out and the ingredients seem stellar! Thanks for another wonderful recipe….
Okay, I’m so excited because I have everything I need to make these AND I love Clif bars and gingerbread.
Yippee!! I’m always guilty of taking the middle one too and pawning off the edges to everyone else. Um, and I just had to wash my best pair of jeans because of snot (wish it was frosting). I wasn’t happy about it, they fit so much better the 7th or so time. 
Hugs! Loving your new picture!
Your gingerbread house is adorable. Puts our “charming” graham cracker houses to shame! (It’s about the process though, right?)
If the process is telling your kids “Stop eating all the candy!” then yes, it’s all about the process.
Yep, sounds familiar.
I am wondering what kind of vanilla protein powder you use. I’ve never purchased protein powder and could use some guidance!
I get the vanilla rice/pea blend from True Nutrition.com. But if you want a really safe bet in terms of protein powder, I’d start out with the Spirutein vanilla (vitacost.com). You can get it online or perhaps at a local health food store/Whole Foods. I think it’s the best tasting powder there is.
Total score!!! I love these new seasonal Clif bars but, holy cow, 200+ calories for one!!! You rock, with making a sub with such low calories!!!
BTW, love the new wavy hairdo!
I do one good push-up and the rest are girly all of the way. They are still painful and I dread ever second of them. Honestly, do you see a difference because I never do. Maybe it is because I only get around to them about once a week. I would much rather make these bars.
Hi MP. My last experiment with the vanilla protein powder was a disaster! I got it at TJs, it was a greenish brownish color, and I swear it ruined the entire batch of whatever it was that I made with it (the whole thing went into the trash except for the small square that our rat ate). Anyway, I back here asking you the same question, and hopefully I can get it right this time. Exactly what protein powder (brand and name) and where do you purchase it? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
I get the vanilla rice/pea blend from True Nutrition.com. But if you want a really safe bet in terms of protein powder, I’d start out with the Spirutein vanilla (vitacost.com). You can get it online or perhaps at a local health food store/Whole Foods. I think it’s the best tasting powder there is.
yes! so true about the alarm clock, the jeans and making a mess while cooking- looks like I also need to trust you when you say to make these!
LOL! I can totally relate to the alarm clock thing AND the jean thing! Hilarious!!!
Today I just overslept by an hour. I think that’s worse.
Yeah, i dunno. Having to wash your jeans again so soon is bad.
Ooooh my goodness. TOTALLY making these tonight so I can take them on my Italy trip on Friday! Thank you SO much for posting this one today Mama Pea! Gingerbread house decorating is something I did every single year as a kid with my mum and sister. Such a great childhood memory!
Have an amazing trip!
Oh these are AWESOME!!!!! I love it!
Hope you and the family are well!!!
Oh wow!!! Can’t wait to try these!
It’s like you know I’m on a tight budget and Cliff bars are a slightly too expensive staple in my diet. Now to remember that I have this recipe when I’m staring at a wall of Cliff bars at the grocery store…
I do know! Pea Daddy bought one, after our talk about saving money (grrr) and he hated it!
Oh so cool!! I love you only use oats and oat flour, that is great. And this would be a cool recipe to play around with other flavors too!
It looks really good Mama Pea!
Ana
Ps: I need to try the same protein you use because I am not sure the one I have would work for the icing… at all!
I’ve been using the True Protein/True Nutrition blend of rice/pea with vanilla.
you are awesome!!! i wait all year for these bars to come out! i keep meaning to try to make my own so thanks for doing all the hard work for me;) And yes, you are totally right to take the middle piece!!
I hope you like them!
You made this thick icing with vanilla protein powder and a spoonful of milk??
Yup, sure did!
I have all these ingredients in my kitchen right now! Well, almost all of them. If I want to leave out the protein powder since I don’t have any, do you think I should up any of the dry ingredients?
Yup, I’d just up the oat flour. And then for the icing you could just use powdered sugar.
These look awesome, Mama Pea! My husband just bought chocolate protein powder…maybe chocolate gingerbread Cilff bars? That might work.
Oh, and I can do 20 “normal” push ups. I was actually doing them every morning until I was about 8 weeks pregnant, but stopped because I was just too tired in the morning (5am). I’ll have to start them up again after baby is born since I’ll be lugging around an infant and a 2 1/2 year old.
Thanks for all of your fabulous recipeas!
Suzanne! YOU ROCK! That is amazing! I can do about 15
Just picked up a gingerbread + pumpkin clif bars for my dad, as stocking stuffers. Should stuff this in there instead! And that is the best looking gingerbread house I’ve ever seen. I made one last year with my 15yr old cousin and it was a huge disaster. Granted, we tried to get creative with the exterior design of the house…damn architecture
Yeah, I can see you totally being an overachiever with that project
These look great! I just need to pick up some molasses and these babies will be mine. I love the pumpkin spice protein bars too, I make them all the time.
The middle piece is totally my favorite… I like the edges for different reasons, but the middle piece trumps all.
no pneumonia! yes, definitely a pro in my book.
wanna know what else is the best? week 11.. seriously, the workout took me 50 minutes and was fun! but brutal. but fun!
these bars look lovely, but what else should i expect? you never let me down. i am making them tonight!
Oh good! I just finished an hour of lifting and am checking commments before I go do my sprints! 90 minute workouts–yikes!
Um, YUM! I need to make these bars! They look so amazing. Yes, I’ll do that. Right after I wash my jeans.
I definitely need to make these. Especially since I’ve been demolishing armies of gingerbread men like there’s no tomorrow. #sendhelpnow or #givemeahealthysubstitute. These look like they’d be good to bring along to my sister’s basketball games. I get hungry watching those girls work out!
I think you should send some of these yummy looking bars to Ozzy- he probably needs a pick-me-up, poor thing!
Maybe he’ll trade me for some hair tips.
Why the heck have I never thought to do protein powder + milk as frosting!??! GENIUS!
I inhale Cliff bars when I’m in school. Something about needing a snack in the middle of a 5 hour class makes them perfect. I love the gingerbread idea. I think I’ll throw some crystallized ginger in or on top, just because I can. Push ups are hard. I can do maybe two good ones if I pretend Jillian Michaels is yelling at me.
Oh man, oh man, yum! Can you do the blueberry crisp Cliff bar flavor, too? Puh-lease! Merry Christmas, Sarah!
127 calories??? That’s fantastic! I can’t wait to make these. You just saved me over 100 calories and some dough
I have all of these ingredients at home.
since “pants that fit and don’t cut off my circulation” are down to leggings and one pair of maternity jeans, washing is rare. and spilling frosting (or something equally messy requiring actual washing machine cleaning and not a quickie sink scrub) ALWAYS happens when they are clean! I am afraid to put them in the dryer (leaving me with… only leggings for the next month?!) so of course washing is a PROCESS, you know waiting 3 days for them to dry, despite the florida humidity!
but gingerbread bars with frosting are so worth the risk!
YUM! I’m definitely making these in the next two days!
I love how so many of your recipes can easily be gluten-free – it’s so nice to read about “regular” food (relatively) that is (or is close) to be accessible to everyone!
I try! Thank you!
Oh mama pea, I think I love you!!! I will be making these while my 3 little people are home on Christmas vacation, they thank you in advance
You are welcome! Love you too
Oh I have some leftover molasses from gingerbread cookies…might have to make these! They would be good presents for all of my active relatives.
Oh, yay! I’ve always wondered about a recipe for homemade Cliff bars. I will be making these very soon.
Omg these look amazing!! If I don’t have protein powder is there anything I should substitute it with or should I just omit it?
You could just substitute more oat flour. And for the frosting you could use powdered sugar. Good luck!
Can’t wait to make these
I love them but i’d rather make a big batch at home than spend money on them individually. thanks!
Oh man, these are cooling now. I just fear they won’t be cool by the time pilates is over…thanks in advance for my post workout snack!
You are welcome! Hope you enjoy them!
Oh they pack an awesome protein punch! Thanks for the recipe – love ways to still be healthy but seasonal at the same time
I was thinking ‘oh hey wannabe rhymes with pea! How come mama pea didn’t write wannapea recipea…’ then I said it out loud.
They still look crazy good; I’m most definitely making these the day after Christmas!
Cheers!
OH LOVE YOU! You’re awesome. Merry Christmas!
I MADE THESE! So delicious! Mom is a diabetic and can have them too. Yay! Thank youuuuu!!!
Changes: I used 1/2 C more oat flour because I didn’t have protein powder and coconut milk for the nondairy milk in the recipe. I added two tablespoons of raw agave for the sweetener. I used organic powdered sugar and coconut milk for the icing.
Nice subs! I’m so glad you guys liked them!
Can I use real ginger and get the same effect? I’ve got some left over…
Hmm…perhaps. I’d just mince it very very finely and use about 2 t. to 1 T. Good luck!
I LOVE this recipe and can not wait to make it!! My hubby is addicted to Clif Bars. I like them, but usually avoid because of the massive amount of sugar. This is MUCH more my speed. Thank you!!
Just a thought- do you think that subbing protein powder for peanut flour would work? (Guess I could try it and let you know!)
I think it might give it a bit of a peanut flavor, but it’d still be great!
Stupid question…Can you sub something else for the protein powder? Being that I’m the only one in the house who would use it, I’ve never been able to justify buying some
I’d just add more oat flour!
These look so good! I’m curious about the amount of cholesterol listed in the nutrition facts. The bars are plant based so where is the cholesterol coming from?
Hmm…not sure. I just plugged the ingredients into the program!
If I don’t have protein powder should I sub in something or take something out…?
I’d sub in more oat flour
These look perfect for me to make for Christmas! I never can enjoy any desserts/treats after our dinner because NOTHING is ever vegan or the least bit healthy. I can’t wait to have these. Hopefully others will enjoy them as well
These look great and I love that you use oats and oat flour! Is there any gluten free flour that I could use in place of the protein powder for the bars? I don’t have any on hand and don’t want to fight the snow outside to go buy some!
Thanks!
I would just use more oat flour. Enjoy the snow!
YES! I wait all year for these! I love when you make recipes for my favorite bars-it saves me so much $$!
If I used a plain, unsweetened protein powder, should I add something extra to flavor/sweeten? I’ve got to try all your “bar” recipes, since we go through about 10 clif mojo bars a week between my husband and I :-/
Yes, I’d add more stevia to sweeten!
MamaPea,
I love your recipes and cannot wait to try this. I cannot eat apples/applesauce/other fruits high in fructose, though. Any suggestions for a substitute?
Hmm…could you do silken tofu? Or even soaked cashews? Or, if you don’t mind the fat, some oil would also work.
I also can’t eat high fructose foods. I replaced the applesauce with pureed japanese pumpkin (called kabocha squash in the US, I think). But Mama Pea is right – you could used silken tofu if you aren’t sensitive to GOS as well. I find that, while other GOS give me grief, tofu does not.
Thanks, MamaPea and Sarah. I have tofu on hand so that will probably be my first try, but the kabocha is a great suggestion!
These look ah-muh-zing. AMAZING. I love love love cliff bars and their holiday bars that are released every so often. After looking over the first three ingredients you used, I was completely sold. Definitely bookmarking. Definitely saving. Definitely baking. Thanks, Mama Pea
xo,
Katie
You are welcome! Hope you love them!
Also, do these bars turn out sweet without the addition of sugar, or should I add it in?
That’s what the stevia is for, but you can use whatever sweetener you like!
Just wanted to add that I made these and they are fantastic! Much better than the bars that you buy, especially because I made them with pumpkin instead of applesauce and undercooked them a bit (oh, the joys of vegan baking!) so they are super moist. I also like that they have a much shorter ingredient list than Cliff bars, of course!
Thanks Sarah! I agree
*Holy smokes*, that’s a LOT of ginger! Just had one for my morning snack and it is YUM-MY! I’ve never had a gingerbread clif bar so nothing to compare it with – no need to compare, it’s delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I quadrupled the dry ingredients and stored it in my freezer for future use. (Haven’t tried the bars yet, as I am out of milk) If you do the same and you’re hankering for a bar, measure out 1 1/3 cup of the dry ingredients, mix the normal measurements for the wet ingredients into the dry. Cook as recipe states. Less hassle for future use.
Thanks for the recipe Mama Pea!
Finally got around to making these last night! They are great – although my ground ginger was fresh and my bars turned out to be quite spicy. I love ginger so this is perfect for me. I have a huge tub of brown rice protein powder that I don’t LOVE so these bars are a wonderful way to use that up. I expect to be making more this week.
Thanks for the recipe Mama Pea.
Luv this recipe!!! What kind of protein powder did you use?
i just made these (w/blackstrap molasses, and smashed-up banana instead of applesauce) and they came out fabulously. & with their nutritional stats, they are definitely better than the clif bars, which are a bit too sugary and dry for my liking.
I agree…I’m not a Clif fan either. Glad you enjoyed!
Since Cliff bars in general are pretty pricey along with other nutrition bars, how much would each of these servings cost roughly? Just seeing if I can kick my pakckaged gingerbread cliff bar addiction & make these instead and save money!
It depends on what ingredients you are using in terms of protein powder, etc. but they are definitely cheaper.