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Dark Chocolate Cherry Oat Bars - Chewy, Nutty, and Naturally Sweet

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (like avocado or canola)
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional but great)
  • 3/4 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped
  • 3/4 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips (60–70% cacao)
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds or walnuts (optional)

Method
 

  1. Prep the pan. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients. In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. Mix wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk brown sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, oil, egg, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
  4. Combine. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir until almost combined. Fold in cherries, chocolate, and nuts.
  5. Press and level. Scrape batter into the pan. Use a spatula or damp fingertips to press it into an even layer. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chunks on top if you like.
  6. Bake. Bake 18–22 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is just set. A toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
  7. Cool completely. Let the pan cool on a rack for at least 45 minutes. Lift out using the parchment and slice into bars.