Oat Fruit & Nut Bars

The base recipe for this healthy bar is from Washington Apple Commission which uses eggs and all-purpose flour. I modified this recipe by using applesauce instead of eggs, substituted wheat flour partly in the place of all-purpose flour and played around with different choice of dried fruits and nuts.The body of this bar mainly consists of oats, apple, applesauce, dried apricots, dried craisins, dates, walnuts, almonds and wheat flour/all-purpose flour combo with little brown sugar and it certainly satisfies the craving for a sweet. Check the recipe below:

Ingredients:

• Quaker Oats - 1 cup
• Wheat Flour - 1/2 cup, unsifted
  
• All-purpose flour - 1/2 cup, unsifted
  
• Brown sugar - 2/3 cup
• Buttermilk - 2/3 cup
• Applesauce - 1/2 cup
• Dried Fruits(apricots, craisins, dates, figs, raisins) - 1/2 cup, chopped
  
• Nuts(walnuts, almonds) - 1/4 cup, roughly chopped
  
• Apple (Red or Green) - 1, cored and diced
• Oil - 3 tbsp
• Baking Soda - 2 1/4 tsp
• Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp

Procedure:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Line a 9 inch square pan with oiled waxed paper and set aside.
• In a bowl, mix both the flour, sugar, oats with salt, soda and cinnamon powder
• Add the buttermilk, applesauce,oil and give it a quick whisk.
• Add the dried fruits and nuts and pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
• Cool and cut into 12 squares.

Makes 12 Bars.

Enjoy!