Chewy Fruit & Oatmeal Bars

Mirj's Note:

I've been looking for recipes to use up my copious quanities of oats in my cupboard and came across this one on the Quaker site. It's very good, easy to make, and very portable!

• Total Time: 37 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 32 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) container low-fat vanilla yogurt or 1 (8 ounce) container plain low-fat yogurt
• 2 large egg whites , lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons skim milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
• 3 cups oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
• 1 cup diceddried mixed fruit or 1 cup raisins or 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F degrees.
2. In large bowl, combine sugars, yogurt, egg whites, oil, milk, and vanilla; mix well.
3. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix well.
4. Add to yogurt mixture; mix well.
5. Stir in oats and fruit.
6. Spread dough onto bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.
7. Bake 28-32 minutes or until light golden brown.
8. Cool completely on wire rack.
9. Cut into bars.
10. Store tightly covered.

Reviews

[Gay Gilmore]

I'm having a love affair with oatmeal right now! This turned out a bit more cake-y than I expected but it tastes great and is still plenty chewy. I added dried cranberries and dried cherries. Great as a breakfast bar, dessert and cookie.

[Dorel]

These have good flavor and not too sweet and healthy to boot. I did use Splenda for the white sugar. I baked for 32 min. and that was too much. Next time I will only leave in for 28 or maybe even less. They stuck to the bottom of the pan but I was able to loosen them with a spatula. I think I will spray with Pam next time.

[Goodeatin]

Tasty, especially for being low fat. I am eating my 3rd piece right now. Used a glass pan and didn't have any problems with them sticking. Used one whole egg instead of the whites, and used golden raisins for the fruit. Also used plain fat-free yogurt. Mine were perfect in 28 min.