Great for entertaining, these photogenic fruit-and-farro squares don’t need added sugar to satiate a sweet tooth. They’re also wholesome and nourishing enough to eat as breakfast bars. Cranberries, cherries, and apples meld together in the lip-smacking sauce. Date Paste, used in both the base and sauce, adds natural sweetness and moisture. Make your own Date Paste using our simple recipe, or pick some up at the store.

By Darshana Thacker Wendel,

Ingredients

SQUARES

  • 1 cup dry farro, rinsed
  • 1 cup date paste
  • ¼ cup oat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup walnuts, crushed

SAUCE

  • 1¼ cups dried, fresh, or frozen cranberries (6 ounces)
  • 1 cup dried, fresh, or frozen pitted cherries (6 ounces)
  • 1 medium apple, cored and finely chopped (1 cup)
  • ½ cup date paste
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened, unflavored plant milk

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, combine the farro with 2 cups of water; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool, then fluff the farro with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • 3. In a bowl, combine farro, date paste, oat flour, baking powder, flaxseed, vanilla, and walnuts. Mix well. The texture will be sticky and lumpy. Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and pat it into an 8-inch square that is between ¼ inch and ½ inch thick.
  • Bake 20 minutes on the top rack.
  • Meanwhile, in a small sauce pot, combine cranberries, cherries, apple, date paste, arrowroot, and milk. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 to 10 minutes, until the fruits soften and the mixture has thickened.
  • Let the fruit topping cool 10 minutes. Remove baked farro square from oven. Spread the topping on the baked farro, and chill in the fridge for least an hour.
  • When ready to serve, cut into pieces.

Comments (3)

(5 from 1 vote)

Recipe Rating

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Linda Rosi

I was looking for something to do with cranberries. This fit the ticket just right!

Sandra Jacobi

Sure wish size pan was given.

Ella

The recipe says to use a baking sheet, also known as a cookie sheet. Most of mine are about 10 in by 15 in. Looking forward to trying this one cranberries are in season!

About the Author

Headshot of Darshana Thacker

About the Author

Darshana Thacker Wendel

Darshana Thacker Wendel is a whole-food, plant-based chef and former culinary projects manager for Forks Over Knives. A graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute, she is the author of Forks Over Knives: Flavor! She created the recipes for Forks Over Knives Family and was a lead recipe contributor to the New York Times bestseller The Forks Over Knives Plan. Her recipes have been published in The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook, Forks Over Knives—The Cookbook, Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health, and LA Yoga magazine online. Visit DarshanasKitchen.com and follow her on Instagram for more.
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