Date-Nut Bars

Pair chewy, sweet dates with crunchy nuts and whole wheat flour for a “healthier” treat. Applesauce makes the bars moist and keeps the fat content down. You can easily pack these bars in your lunch box or enjoy at home with a hot cup of green or herbal tea.

Yields:

• 16 bars

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp honey
• ¼ cup applesauce
• 2 Tbsp canola oil
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2/3 cup dates, chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped nuts (such as pecans, walnuts, almonds)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In another bowl, stir together the egg, honey, applesauce, canola oil and orange zest.
4. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until blended. Fold in the dates and chopped nuts.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake about 18-20 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
6. Cool in pan. Cut into sixteen- 2” squares. Store in air tight container for 2-3 days.

Source:

http://www.aicr.org/