- 16
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark chocolate (60% to 72% cacao), finely chopped
- 1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup whole almonds, toasted
- 1/3 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
- 8 ounces Medjool dates, halved and pitted
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup dried cherries
Preparation
Step 1
Lightly oil an 8-inch square baking pan. Cut two pieces of waxed paper so they are the same width as the pan and long enough to go up the sides and overlap across the top. Place one piece in the pan, then place the second piece on top of the first, facing the opposite direction.
2. In a metal bowl set over a saucepan filled with 2 inches of simmering water, combine the dark chocolate with the unsweetened baking chocolate. Heat, stirring often, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the almonds with the pistachios and pulse three or four times to coarsely chop. Add the melted chocolate, dates, vanilla and salt. Pulse the mixture until the ingredients begin to hold together like a loose dough. Add the cherries and pulse a few more times, until the cherries are coarsely chopped and evenly distributed.
4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and press it into an even layer using your hands. Smooth the top with a spatula if needed. Cover the top of the mixture with a piece of parchment or waxed paper and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
5. Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the edges of the waxed paper and place on a cutting board, still atop the waxed paper. Using an oiled knife to prevent sticking, cut into 16 squares. Put the bars in a container, with waxed paper between the layers if you are stacking them. (Alternately, you can wrap the bars individually in foil.) Store the bars in the refrigerator or freezer and warm to room temperature before serving.