Nutrition Diet: What are the ingredients in a cherry ripe bar and what do they mean for your health?

November 9, 2025 •

2 min read

As a classic treat, the Cadbury Cherry Ripe bar is a nostalgic favourite for many, but with over 1980kJ (473 kcal) per 100g, its nutritional profile is worth a closer look. This article breaks down exactly what are the ingredients in a cherry ripe bar, examining the components and their implications for a balanced nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the ingredients of the Cadbury Cherry Ripe, detailing the use of sugar, coconut, glace cherries, and various additives. It contrasts the nutritional value with healthier homemade alternatives.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The classic Cherry Ripe is primarily made of sugar, coconut, and glace cherries, coated in dark chocolate.
Processed Additives: The bar contains emulsifiers, colours, and sulphite preservatives to enhance texture, appearance, and shelf life.
High Sugar Content: Multiple forms of sugar, including glucose syrup, contribute to a high sugar load, impacting blood sugar levels.
High in Saturated Fat: The fat content is mainly from coconut and vegetable fats, contributing significantly to daily saturated fat intake.
Contains Allergens: The product contains milk, soy, and sulphites and may contain traces of nuts and gluten.
Poor Fibre Source: Unlike fresh fruits, the processed cherries and coconut offer very little dietary fibre.
Nutritionally Dense, Not Beneficial: The high calorie and low nutrient density mean it should be consumed in moderation.
Homemade Alternative: A healthier version can be created at home using natural sweeteners like dates and fresh, whole ingredients.

The Anatomy of a Cherry Ripe Bar

Understanding the ingredients is crucial for evaluating a Cherry Ripe bar within a nutrition diet context. The standard bar features a cherry and coconut filling enrobed in dark chocolate. The combination includes core ingredients like sugar, coconut, and glace cherries, along with additives for texture and shelf life. A detailed list of ingredients can be found on {Link: Woolworths website https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/613112/cadbury-cherry-ripe-dark-chocolate-bar}.

The Nutritional Breakdown: A Diet Perspective

These ingredients contribute to a snack high in energy, sugar, and saturated fat. A 44g bar contains around 873kJ (209 kcal), while 100g contains 1980kJ (473 kcal). The high sugar content can impact blood sugar, and the saturated fat from coconut and added fats can affect heart health. The processed ingredients offer less fibre compared to fresh alternatives.

A Healthier Alternative: Homemade Cherry Ripe

Making a homemade version often uses whole foods instead of processed ingredients. Recipes may use dates for sweetness and fresh or dried cherries, along with preservative-free coconut, to create a more nutritious treat.

Comparing Ingredients: Store-Bought vs. Homemade

A comparison of ingredients reveals key differences between the commercial Cherry Ripe and a healthier homemade version:


Aspect	Store-Bought Cherry Ripe	Healthier Homemade Version
Sweeteners	Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Milk	Dates, Maple Syrup, or Rice Syrup
Cherries	Glace Cherries (processed with sugar syrup)	Fresh or dried cherries
Coconut	Desiccated Coconut (with sulphite preservative)	Unsweetened, Preservative-free Shredded Coconut
Fats	Vegetable Fat, Cocoa Butter, Palm Oil	Coconut Oil, Nut Butter
Emulsifiers	Soy Lecithin (476), etc.	None (blended mixture)
Colours/Flavours	Added Colours (120, 160c), Artificial Flavours	Natural colours from cherries, vanilla extract
Nutritional Profile	High in sugar and saturated fat	Lower in processed sugar, more fibre

Dietary Considerations and Allergens

The commercial Cherry Ripe bar contains milk, soy, and sulphites. There is also a risk of traces of tree nuts, peanuts, and gluten due to manufacturing practices. Those with relevant allergies should avoid it. The use of gelatin also makes it unsuitable for vegans.

Conclusion: Moderation is Key

While the detailed ingredient list reveals that a Cherry Ripe is a processed food high in sugar and fat rather than nutritional benefits, it can still be enjoyed occasionally within a balanced diet. For a healthier option, creating a homemade version with natural, whole ingredients is a superior choice that maintains the classic flavor profile. Understanding what are the ingredients in a cherry ripe bar helps in making informed dietary decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredients are sugar, coconut, glace cherries, glucose syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and dark chocolate components like cocoa mass and cocoa butter.

Yes, a Cherry Ripe bar is notably high in sugar due to multiple sugar sources, including sugar, glucose syrup, and sweetened condensed milk.

The fat in a Cherry Ripe comes from coconut, vegetable fat, and cocoa butter, resulting in a high saturated fat content.

Yes, the bar contains milk, soy, and sulphites. It may also contain traces of other allergens like tree nuts, peanuts, and gluten due to shared manufacturing equipment.

Yes, healthier homemade recipes often replace processed ingredients with whole foods like dates for natural sweetness, fresh cherries, and preservative-free coconut.

Emulsifiers like soy lecithin are used to improve the texture and consistency of the chocolate coating, preventing separation.

No, the traditional Cadbury Cherry Ripe contains sweetened condensed milk and sometimes gelatin, which are not suitable for a vegan diet.

While dark chocolate does contain some antioxidants, the high sugar and saturated fat content in the overall bar largely negate any potential health benefits from the chocolate alone.

A glace cherry is a cherry that has been preserved and candied by soaking it in a sugar syrup, giving it a longer shelf life.