Cherry Walnut Squares with Chocolate Drizzle

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned/rolled oats
• 2 cups walnuts
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup dates, pitted
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 banana
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (
• 1 ounce 75% - 80 cocoa% dark chocolate

Directions

1. In a blender or processor, blend the oats until they look like flour. Empty into a mixing bowl.
2. Repeat with the walnuts, but don't over-process or they will start to release their oils and turn into nut butter. Add to the bowl with the oat flour.
3. Put the dates and water into a high speed blender and process until it forms a slurry. Add the banana and continue to blend until smooth and not large pieces of dates are evident.
4. Add the date mixture to the oats and walnuts and mix well. Stir in the vanilla and cherries.
5. Line a 8 inch square cake pan with foil or parchment - with overhang so you can easily pull the whole thing out. Put the dough into the pan and spread evenly. Smooth the top by using a knife or back of a spoon, dipped in water.
6. Place in the freezer for approx 30 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, place the chocolate, broken into pieces, in a small bowl, and set over a larger bowl of hot water to melt the chocolate. Take care not to get water into the chocolate.
8. When the chocolate has fully melted, remove the dough from the freezer and lift it out whole on the parchment paper. Cut the block into 36 small squares. Don't lift them off the parchment - keep them in place.
9. Using the small spoon, drizzle the melted chocolate over the whole block of the dough in diagonal lines.
10. Return to the freezer, wrapped in the parchment or place in a container and store in the freezer, for a guilt free snack.