A chewy bite of apple and cinnamon perfection! One of my favourite fruit and nut bars, this recipe packs together a fine selection of ingredients for a spectacular result. A no-bake recipe sure to please all sports, and snacking aficionados.

I make a lot of fruit and nut bars. While they are perfect post-workout, I admit I sometimes eat them as a snack.

If you enjoy cooking shows, then check out the video class I made for this recipe.

Dates are one of two common bases for fruit and nut bars. The other is figs. You can substitute one for the other, and the bars will still hold together, and be sweet. I find dates are useful when you don't want a dominating flavour. Here I wanted the apple and cinnamon to come through. Figs have a stronger taste, suppressing other ingredients.

Cashews are a soft nut, making them feel at home in a chewy bar. You could use almonds instead, but I cook so many other recipes with them. I tend to avoid them here. I hear hazelnuts work as well, but honestly, I'm not a big fan of that flavour as the base to my nut bars.

I ate so many macadamia nuts last year that I find myself craving them only in small quantities now. Their hefty roasted accents create a deeper structure to the flavour. I've tried bars with only one nut before but discovered they lack in richness. Thus I stick with a two nut combination.

I recommend trying different combinations of fruits and nuts.

Apple Cinnamon Fruit and Nut Bar

Ingredients

Dry

1. 100 g ⁵⁄₈ cup
   Cashews
2. 50 g ³⁄₈ cup
   roastedMacadamia Nuts
3. 40 g ¹⁄₂ cup
   Dried Apple Rings
4. 1 teaspoon
   groundCinnamon
5. ¹⁄₈ teaspoon
   Salt

Wet

1. 75 g ¹⁄₂ cup
   pittedDried Dates
2. 40 g ¹⁄₄ cup
   Dried and Sweetened Cranberries
3. ¹⁄₂ medium 4 teaspoon
   juicedFresh Lemon

Equipment

• food processor / blender
• 15x20cm plastic container
• large mixing bowl

Directions

Dry Chopping

1. Use the food processor to chop the cashews into a rough near flour-like texture. Add them to a mixing bowl.
2. Use the food processor to chop the macadamia nuts into a slightly large size. Add them the mixing bowl.
3. Chop the dried apples with a knife and them add to the mixing bowl.
4. Add the cinnamon and salt to the mixing bowl. Mix the dry contents well.

Wet Chopping

1. Roughly dice the dates with a knife and add them to the mixing bowl.
2. Chop the cranberries with a knife and add them to the mixing bowl. Stir the mixture briefly.
3. Pour the lemon juice into the bowl.

Mixing

1. With your hands, work the mixture, kneeding and squeezing, until it clumps together. You should be able to form a ball with the mixutre.
2. Transfer the mixture to a plastic container and pack it down roughly with your hands.
3. Use a spoon to finish packing the mixture in the container, creating a smoother surface.
4. Cover the container and place it in the fridge to set for an hour.

Slicing

1. Remove the container from the fridge and remove the lid.
2. Turn it over onto a cutting board. Tap the back of the container until the set mixture drops to the cutting board.
3. Use a knife to slice it into bars.