Breakfast Bars

This recipe was inspired by my girls' love of Quaker Oatmeal Breakfast squares...This is my first try at a similar bar.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 12-15

Ingredients

• 1  cup golden raisin
• 1⁄2 cup dried plum (prunes)
• 1⁄2 cup  dried apricot
• 1⁄2 cup boiling water
• 2  tablespoons butter, softened
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1⁄2 cup ground flax seeds
• 1⁄2 cup wheat germ
• 1  cup whole wheat flour
• 1  cup skim milk powder
• 1⁄2 cup rolled oats
• 1⁄2 cup  crushed  almonds
• 3  eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cover a jelly roll pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
3. In a small bowl, add dried fruits to boiling water.
4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.
5. Puree dried fruits and water until smooth.
6. In a large bowl, blend sugar, butter and eggs.
7. Add milk powder, vanilla and cinnamon to the egg mixture and blend.
8. Add flour, flax, wheat germ, crushed almonds and oats.
9. Stir to combine.
10. Add fruit puree and stir until combined.
11. Spread batter (it will be thick like mashed potatoes) in foil-lined pan.
12. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
13. Cool in pan for 5 minutes.
14. Remove from pan to wire rack and cool for 45 minutes.
15. Peel foil off of bars and cut into squares.