Chewy Chocolate Cherry Oat Bar

Before you start:

Wrap these bars tightly in plastic wrap individually for lunch bags.

Tossing the chopped cherries in the flour before adding the remaining ingredients reduces the stickiness of them and keeps them separated which allows for more even distribution.

As the chocolate is a main focus in this treat, tempering is very important. 

The ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups rolled oats
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped dried cherries
• ½ cup chopped pistachios
• 10 oz bittersweet chocolate

The method:

1. Preheat oven to 325˚.  Line an 8x8 brownie pan with aluminum foil.  Spray lightly with cooking oil spray.
2. Toss cherries and flour in a large mixing bowl to coat.
3. Add remaining ingredients except chocolate.
4. Mix completely by hand or with a spoon to evenly distribute ingredients.
5. Press mixture into pan and level out the top.
6. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
7. Remove from oven and cool for 2 minutes in pan.  Use aluminum foil to lift out and finish cooling on a wire rack.
8. When completely cool, use a very sharp knife to cut away the edges.  Cut the remaining square into 6 long strips and then each strip in half.
9. Temper the chocolate by melting 8 ounces in a heat proof bowl over a simmering pot of water until it reaches 110˚.
10. Remove from the heat and pour into a different bowl.  Cool slightly.  Add the remaining chocolate and stir occasionally to melt.
11. When melted pour into a shallow bowl and dip each of the cooled bars in the chocolate.
12. Push some chocolate up the sides of the bars and then lift out with a fork under each end.
13. Allow excess chocolate to fall away and then place on a parchment lined sheet to set and cool.
14. Store in an airtight container.  Makes 12 bars.