Cherry Almond Granola Bars

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Add your oats and almonds to a bare baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
3. Put dates in a bowl and cover with water. Soak for 30 min.
4. Add dates and dried fruit to a food processor and mix until small bits remain or a ball forms — ~20 seconds. It should be quite tacky / sticky.
5. Add the toasted oats and almonds to a large mixing bowl along with the date-fruit mixture and the seeds. Set aside.
6. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm maple syrup, almond butter, and oil, stirring until creamy and smooth. Then remove from heat, add a pinch of salt and vanilla (optional), and stir again to combine.
7. Pour into the large mixing bowl and then mix, breaking up the date-fruit mixture to disperse throughout (option to add 1 more handful of dried cherries to the mix). Use a spoon or your hands to mix thoroughly. It should be very tacky and hold its shape when squeezed between two fingers. If too dry or crumbly, add a bit more maple syrup and/or almond butter and continue mixing.
8. Transfer to the prepared 8×8-inch dish and use a wooden spoon or your hands to disperse into an even layer. Cover with parchment and press down with something flat, such as a drinking glass, to get the mixture packed really tightly. This will prevent the bars from being crumbly. Chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden.