Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars

These bars are a delicious and healthy way to start the day.

1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour (or whole-wheat pastry flour)
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 large egg white
3/4 cup chopped dried tart cherries
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup "Fruit Only" apricot preserves

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, wheat germ, cinnamon, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the honey, applesauce, oil, egg, and egg white until well combined. Stir in the oat mixture until well combined. Add the dried cherries and walnuts.

Coat an 8" square pan with cooking spray. Spread mixture into pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. When bars are almost done, put the apricot preserves in a small microwaveable bowl and heat until preserves start to boil. As soon as the bars are taken out of the oven, brush with the preserves.

Cool completely and cut into 12 bars, about 4 x 1 1/2 inches each.

Source: So Easy - Ellie Krieger

Kimberly