Healthy Kids Recipe: Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars

Are you trying to satisfy a sweet tooth in a healthy way? Try these Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars. The recipe is versatile enough to substitute different types of nuts and fruits. We make them and then use them as a snack when we are out and about. It takes about 30 minutes and makes about 12 bars.

• 1 C quick cooking oats
• ¾ C whole wheat pastry flour
• ¼ C toasted wheat germ
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ C honey
• 1/3 C unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ C canola oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 egg white
• ¾ C dried chopped tart cherries (we love Chukar Cherries)
• ½ C finely chopped walnuts
• cooking spray
• ¼ C “fruit only” apricot preserve

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, wheat germ, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl whisk together honey, applesauce, oil and eggs. Fold in cherries and walnuts.

Coat an 8 inch square baking dish with cooking spray and spread the dough out evenly. Bake in center of oven for 30-35 minutes. Or, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

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, 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 by1 1/2 inches each.