For snacking, for breakfast? Try these fruit and nut bars

Homemade Fruit and Nut Bars

We all love to snack, so why not have snacks that are not only tasty and satisfying but also give you great nutrition? These fruit and nut bars from my friend Mary Ann Barnes are perfect to pop in a lunchbox or stash in your desk at work. And they also work for breakfast on the go.

Recipe: Fruit and Nut Bars

 Makes 24

Ingredients

8 ounces margarine spread with plant stanols added (for example, Benecol, Smart Balance, or Take Control)

¾ cup egg substitute (or 2 medium eggs)

2 ½ cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 ½ cups flour, preferably whole grain

½ cup nut flour (if not available, use another ½ cup of flour)

1 large apple, diced

½ cup raisins

1 cup chopped walnuts

½ cup chopped dried apricots

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat and 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Whip together spread, egg substitute and brown sugar on high speed until light and bubbly.  Stir in baking powder and cinnamon.  Add remaining ingredients, and stir until moistened.

Spoon batter into prepared pan, flattening top with a spatula. 

Bake for 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.   Cool on a wire rack.  Cut into 24 squares.