Chunky chocolate & cherry bars

By carol gorman

Ingredients

• 1/4 200-g pkg chocolate wafers, about 10 wafers
• 8 squares semi-sweet chocolate, about 8 oz (225 g), chopped
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) each coarsely chopped green and red glacé cherries
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) coarsely chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) coarsely chopped almonds
• 2 squares white chocolate, about 2 oz (56 g), chopped

Preparation

Step 1

Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch (2-L) square baking pan with 2 large overlapping pieces of plastic wrap, letting wrap hang over sides of pan. Pulse wafers in a food processor until finely ground. They should measure about 1/2 cup (125 mL). In a large bowl, microwave semi-sweet chocolate on medium until almost melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir halfway through. Add vanilla. Stir until completely melted. Then stir in wafer crumbs, cherries, apricots, almonds and white chocolate. Mixture will be very chunky.
Scrape into prepared pan. Using the back of a spoon, firmly press into pan. Smooth surface as best you can. Fold overhanging ends of plastic overtop to completely cover. Press down to smooth. Refrigerate at least 3 hours to firm, preferably overnight. Bring to room temperature before slicing into bars. Refrigerate up to 2 weeksPreparation time 10 minutes
Refrigeration Time 3 hours