Cranberry and Chocolate Nut Squares (GF, DF)
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup all-natural almond butter
  • 2 tablespoons organic agave nectar
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 cup unsalted almonds, chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 3.5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (I used a Lindt 70% cocoa chocolate bar which yielded about ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • Cooking spray
  • Pampered Chef Brownie Pan (check the note at the bottom of the recipe if you're using a regular baking dish)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, add the honey, almond butter, agave and sea salt. Stir until well combined. Gently stir the chopped nuts, chopped cranberries, coconut flakes and chocolate into the honey mixture.
  3. Add the flaxseed meal, vanilla extract and almond extract, and stir until all the ingredients are well combined.
  4. Divide the granola mixture evenly amongst the brownie pan squares. Press the granola mixture into each square with a rubber spatula to help it even out and hold together.
  5. Bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the pan from the oven and allow the squares to cool completely. Once cool (about an hour), run a knife along the edge of each square and pop them out.
  6. IF YOU ARE USING A REGULAR BAKING DISH: Coat an 8x8 square pan with cooking spray. Spread the granola mixture in an even layer in the pan. Press the mixture down with a spatula. Bake for 20 minutes and then let cool completely. Once cool, place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes before cutting the granola mixture into squares.
  7. NOTE: Store squares in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. I often keep store-bought KIND bars in my pantry but they can become very sticky so cool storage is recommended.
Recipe by Healthy Recipe Ecstasy at https://www.healthyrecipeecstasy.com/cranberry-and-chocolate-nut-squares-gf-df/