Sunflower Cherry Oatmeal Bars

Makes about 16 bars

Karen from Boulder sent in her recipe for breakfast bars looking for ways to cut calories and fat. Originally loaded with peanut butter, soy protein, chocolate chips and eggs along with other high-calorie ingredients, we took these bars in a very different direction while keeping the oats, sunflower seeds and dried fruit for great flavor and their nutritional attributes.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats, either quick cooking or old fashioned
1 cup whole spelt or whole wheat flour
1/2 cup packed natural brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup expeller pressed canola oil
5 tablespoons orange juice, divided
1/2 cup fruit sweetened black cherry preserves

Method

Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine oats, flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, sunflower seeds and cherries in a large bowl. Add oil and 3 tablespoons orange juice, mixing well until all ingredients are fully combined. Reserve a half cup and press the rest into a lightly oiled 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons orange juice with the cherry preserves and spread evenly over the oat mixture in the pan. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture over the top and press down lightly with fingers. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool in the pan on a wire rack then cut into bars or squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Per serving (1 bar): 190 calories (80 from fat), 9g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 3g protein, 26g total carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 14g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 60mg sodium

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2038