Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars Recipe

Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars

Level: Easy

Yield: 12 bars (1 bar per serving)

Timing:

• Total: 1 hr 25 min
• Prep: 20 min
• Inactive: 30 min
• Cook: 35 min

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

• Calories: 230
• Total Fat: 9 grams
• Saturated Fat: 1 gram
• Cholesterol: 20 milligrams
• Sodium: 60 milligrams
• Carbohydrates: 34 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 2 grams
• Protein: 4 grams

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour or regular whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 egg, beaten to mix
• 1 egg white
• 3/4 cup chopped dried tart cherries
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup "fruit only" apricot preserves

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, wheat germ, cinnamon and salt.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the honey, applesauce, oil, egg and egg white until well blended. Stir in the oatmeal mixture until thoroughly combined. Add the dried cherries and walnuts.
3. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Put the preserves in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. As soon as the bars come out of the oven, brush with the preserves. Cool completely and cut into 12 bars, about 4 by 1 1/2 inches each.