BY CHEF KATIE MIST

Chocolate Berry Crunch Bars

Sweets for my sweets, chocolate for me! There really isn't a more perfect combination on Earth than chocolate and, well anything! In Chef Katie's Chocolate Berry Crunch Bars recipe she loads up bars with the perfect balance of sweet, salty, crunchy and berry brightness. Loaded with pistachios, hemp seeds, chia seed and a combination of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, these might just be the healthiest chocolate bars you've ever had! Guilt be gone. Enjoy a nibble of better-for-you goodness and let your heart be content.

Chocolate Berry Crunch Bars

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

• ¼ cup pistachios, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• Pinch of salt

• 3 cups fresh berries: Any combo of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. NOTE: Cut strawberries into quarters or sixths if they're extra large.

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate: Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between each one, until melted.

2. Combine pistachios, hemp seeds, chia seeds and salt and stir to combine.

3. Line a 9x9 inch brownie pan with parchment, being sure to leave enough parchment to hang over the sides. (NOTE: Once the bars are chilled you can lift them out of the pan by pulling up on the parchment and using it as a handle.)

4. Spread berries out in the pan in an even layer.

5. Pour melted chocolate over the berries, tilting and tapping the pan on the counter to work the chocolate into all of the open spaces.

6. Sprinkle pistachio mixture on top in an even layer.

7. Chill bars in the fridge for at least two hours.

8. Cut bars into 16 squares and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.