Walnut and Cherry Bars

I have a problem.

A little addiction.

It causes problems with my relationship, I spend too much time with it and it makes me spend money.

Its the Food Network Channel. I make us watch 'Ace of Cakes' when A would rather be watching football. I see nifty kitchen gadgets and I ... well ... need them. 

There is the occasional benefit of course. Like these bars. I saw Ellie Kreiger make them one day and thought they'd be a great healthy snack to have. Plus they use cherries, which are one of my all time favorite-ist flavours. 

I don't know if favorite-ist is a word, but it definitely has meaning. 

So back to the bars. 

These are really tasty and have enough 'sticking' power to keep you going until the next meal. And as Ellie says they're around 230 calories, which is within the recommended range for a snack (as part of a healthy diet). If you're into that kind of thing. I am sometimes. Mostly when I'm out of chocolate :)

Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars (by Ellie Kreiger)

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 (I used a 100g container)

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Cooking spray

1/4 cup "fruit only" apricot preserves

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 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 oatmeal mixture until well combined.

This already smells great. Cinnamon is magical.

Add the dried cherries and walnuts. 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.

They are pretty good. Give them a go!

So what is one of your favorite-ist things to snack on?

Peace,

Jenn x