Nutrigrain Bars -- Healthy Breakfast (With Beans)

Got this in an email from a food storage blog (http://everydayfoodstorage.net/) which stated: Have you ever wondered how to make some of your favorite kid snacks yourself? Save yourself some money, make them a little (or A LOT) healthier? So did I...Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be tackling some great snacks and a way to *gasp* never buy cereal again?! To get the ball rolling I wanted to share this recipe I developed for Homemade Nutri Grain Bars. It's like the ultimate breakfast bar that will keep your kids full and alert! It's got whole wheat, oats, nuts, and...wait for it....BEANS! You know I couldn't resist. Give them a try, I promise they will not disappoint!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 1 9x13 pan

Ingredients

• 1  cup white beans, cooked, drained and rinsed
• 1  cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 2  large eggs (or 1/4 c. dry egg powder and NO water)
• 2  cups whole wheat flour
• 1  cup  oat flour, course (take quick oats and pulse in blender until a coarse flour)
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1⁄2 cups  almonds, chopped (optional)
• 3⁄4 cup  raspberry jam (other flavors are good too)

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350°. Grease a 9"x13" baking pan.
2. Place the beans and sugars in a large bowl, and cream them until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs (egg powder).
3. In a small bowl, combine the flours, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture, then mix or stir in the almonds.
4. Use your fingers to press half of the dough into the bottom of the baking pan. (You may need to grease your fingers with non-stick spray to keep the dough from sticking to your fingers.)
5. Put the jam in a small bowl and loosen it up with a small whisk or a fork (this will make it spread easier). Spread the jam evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1/4-inch border around the edges.
6. Sprinkle the remaining dough over the jam, all the way to the edges of the pan, and then press on it gently to form the top layer.
7. Bake until the top is golden and the edges are starting to brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in the pan, and then cut into whatever size bars you like and serve. The bars will keep for at least three or four days at room temperature, or you can freeze them.