Photos by Johnny Miller. Courtesy of Whole Living Magazine, April 2012 (source)

Whole Living Magazine did it again! These Chocolate-Apricot Nut Bars were a breeze to throw together (less than 10 minutes!) and were a BIG hit with the boyfriend and other friends.  If you’re anything like me, you snack on say, dried fruit, nuts and chocolate during the day.  Well, why not throw all that into one tasty, wholesome, snack, easy to wrap up and take on the go?! Your friends and co-works will be jealous and amazed when you casually say “these? oh I just whipped ‘em up!”

Chocolate-Apricot Nut Bars

1-1/2 cups dried apricots

1/2 cup raw almonds, toasted

2 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Coarse salt

1/2 oz dark chocolate, melted

1.  Pulse apricots, almonds, 1 Tbsp coconut, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until finely ground.

2.  Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment, leaving an inch overhang on all sides.  Transfer mixture to pan and press firmly to form a rectangle.

3.  Use parchment overhang to remove from pan.  Drizzle mixture with chocolate and sprinkle with remaining coconut.

4.  Transfer to the refrigerator and leave until firm, about 15 minutes.  Slice into six (6) bars.  Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  For snacking on the run, wrap bars individually in parchment paper.