Apricot-raisin bars

24 Bars

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½cupDried apricots, diced
¼cupRaisins
½cupApples, peeled and grated
½cupReduced-sugar apricot preserves
teaspoonBaking soda
1cupAll-purpose flour
½cupOat bran
2cupsRolled oats
1teaspoonGround cinnamon
1cupBrown sugar
¾cupReduced-calorie margarine, melted

Directions

FILLING

CRUST

In a medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Stir well.

Make crust: In a large bowl, combine baking soda, flour, oat bran, oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir in melted margarine. Press slightly more than half of crust mixture in bottom of a 9- by 13-inch pan sprayed with vegetable cooking spray.

Spread on filling. Sprinkle on remaining crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Cut into bars.

Makes 24 bars

Nutritional analysis: Per 2-inch square: 151 calories, 2 grams protein, 27 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fat (26 percent), 124 milligrams sodium.

FROM Karen Mangum's cookbook "Life's Simple Pleasures: Fine Vegetarian Cooking for Sharing and Celebration."