Pistachio & Tart Cherry Granola Bars

In the early hours of the day, you can find the Ballerina Farm team toasting pistachios, almonds, and oats. It's all in preparation to make these classic, chewy granola bars, which are studded with unsweetened tart cherries and crunchy bits of puffed quinoa, held together by Ballerina Farm Raw Honey. Good enough for breakfast with the grab-and-go nature of a sensible (and very delicious) snack, these granola bars are a favorite around our farm. They might just be a favorite around yours, too. 

Yield: 9 granola bars | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Rest Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons (105 grams) shelled raw pistachios
• ⅔ cup (95 grams) whole almonds
• ⅔ cup (75 grams) whole rolled oats
• ½ cup (75 grams) tart dried cherries, unsweetened if possible
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (75 grams) pepitas
• ¼ cup (22 grams) puffed quinoa
• 1 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
• ½ teaspoon Fine French Salt, or kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons (210 grams) Raw Honey 
• 3 ½ tablespoons (65 grams) maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously butter a 9 x 9-inch pan, then line with parchment that extends over two sides of the pan (this will make it easier to lift out later). Set aside.
2. Using a food processor, roughly chop the pistachios, almonds, and oats. Transfer them to a sheet pan, toss together to combine, and distribute in a single, even layer across the pan. 
3. Toast in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the nuts are lightly browned. Pour the toasted nuts and oats into a large bowl and add the dried cherries, pepitas, puffed quinoa, flaxseed meal, and salt. Stir to combine.
4. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. To a small pot, add the honey, maple syrup, and vanilla. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue boiling for 2 minutes. Immediately remove from heat. 
6. Pour the honey over the nut mixture and stir until there are no dry spots and everything is covered in honey.
7. Add the granola bar mixture to the prepared pan. Using lightly buttered hands or a measuring cup, press the granola tightly into the pan. 
8. Bake the granola bars for 20 minutes, watching carefully as you don’t want the bars to brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, about 2 hours. 
9. Slice into squares or rectangles. Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.