Chocolate Berry Bars

My friends Linda and Gina asked for this recipe today so I wanted to post it. Another great recipe from my neighbor Kim. Sorry for the blurry picture. I'd take another but they are being consumed at a party at this very moment! Enjoy.

Chocolate Berry Bars

2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs

½ cup butter (one stick)

1 cup plain granola cereal

1 ¾ cup (10 oz pkg) 53% cocoa dark chocolate chunks (separated)

1 cup dried cranberries, blueberries or cherries

1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Melt butter and stir into cracker crumbs. Stir well and press into ungreased 9”X13” pan.

Layer granola, 1 ¼ cup of the chocolate chunks, dried fruit and almonds over graham cracker crust. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over almonds.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until brown and bubbly around the edge. Cool completely on wire rack.

Microwave remaining ½ cup chocolate in small, heavy duty plastic storage bag on high for 30-45 seconds; knead until smooth. Cut a tiny corner from bag and squeeze to drizzle over top of pan.

Refrigerate overnight if possible. Cut into bars.

 

Tips:  - Any dark chocolate will do and chips work fine if you can’t find the chunks.

            - To toast the almonds I put them in a pan with a little oil on the cooktop and cook until barely brown.