No-bake Chewy Fruit and Nut Bars
Photo: Annabelle Breakey
Like a cross between Rice Krispies Treats and Italian panforte (fruitcake), these bars are based on a recipe from Healthy in a Hurry (Weldon Owen, 2012; $30) by Karen Ansel and Charity Ferreira.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Line an 8-in. square pan with foil. Butter foil. In a large bowl, stir together cereal, cherries, almonds, apricots, and chocolate.
Step 2
2
Combine 2 tbsp. butter, the sugar, syrup, almond butter, and salt in a small saucepan and cook, stirring, over medium heat until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Immediately pour bubbling mixture over cereal mixture and stir until well combined.
Step 3
3
Press mixture firmly into prepared pan, using lightly buttered hands. Chill until firm, about 1 hour. Tip out of pan onto a work surface and peel off foil. Using a sharp buttered knife, quarter mixture and then cut each quarter into 5 bars.
Step 4
4
*Find at natural-foods stores and Whole Foods Market.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups puffed brown rice cereal*
1 cup dried tart cherries
1 cup whole roasted unsalted or raw almonds
2/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup finely chopped bittersweet chocolate
About 2 tbsp. butter
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup brown rice syrup*
1/4 cup creamy almond butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Step 1
1
Line an 8-in. square pan with foil. Butter foil. In a large bowl, stir together cereal, cherries, almonds, apricots, and chocolate.
Step 2
2
Combine 2 tbsp. butter, the sugar, syrup, almond butter, and salt in a small saucepan and cook, stirring, over medium heat until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Immediately pour bubbling mixture over cereal mixture and stir until well combined.
Step 3
3
Press mixture firmly into prepared pan, using lightly buttered hands. Chill until firm, about 1 hour. Tip out of pan onto a work surface and peel off foil. Using a sharp buttered knife, quarter mixture and then cut each quarter into 5 bars.
Step 4
4
*Find at natural-foods stores and Whole Foods Market.
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