Chocolate Fruit and Nut Bar - Still in Love...

...with and drooling over more chocolate recipes.I came across one for a fruit and nut bar. I haven't really cared for the results of chocolate made with only coconut butter, so I made a few changes and used some cacao butter. I also used hazlenut extract, because I love hazelnut and chocolate. This is a WINNER! Here is my version:

Chocolate Fruit and Nut Bar

1/4 cup coconut butter(oil)

1/4 cup cacao butter, shaved

1/2 cup cacao powder or carob powder (I mixed both, adjust per your own preference)

1 Tbs maple syrup

1 Tbs agave nectar

1 tsp hazelnut extract

1/4 cup raisins

1/8 cup dried cherries (optional)

1/8 cup coconut, shredded (optional)
1/4 cup combined almonds and walnuts (raw)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Put hot water in a small bowl and carefully balance a larger metal bowl on top(metal holds heat).

Melt the cacao and coconut butters in the bowl over hot water.

While waiting, place nuts in a plastic bag on top of a hard surface and smash with a mallet or hard, flat object, creating uneven chunks of nuts.

Add maple syrup, agave nectar, hazelnut extract to melted butters and stir. (Keep on top of hot water while mixing)

Add vanilla extract, smashed nuts, raisins, cherries and coconut. Stir until well coated.

Using a rubber spatula, pour and spread mixture onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment or freezer wrap (waxy side up).

Place in freezer to set. Remove from freezer and break into chunks. Store in freezer. 

Warning: This is NOT like M&Ms, it does melt in your hands if you don't get it into your mouth fast enough. Yummm...Oh yeah! "RAW"nchy chocolate! I eat it right out of the freezer (and then LICK). 

Adding more cacao butter and using less coconut butter might make this more solid. Feel free to experiment with extracts and combinations of these ingredients. Have fun and share your results.

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