Oatmeal-Fruit-Nut Bars (From Sara Snow)

This is a great (healthy) recipe for oatmeal bars. It's also great with some dark chocolate pieces.

• Ready In: 27 mins
• Yields: 36-48 bars

Ingredients

• 2  cups whole wheat flour
• 1⁄2 cup ground flax seeds
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1⁄2 cup butter, room temp
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup honey
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  small apple, peeled and chopped (granny smith is great)
• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1⁄2 cup dates or 1⁄2 cup apricot, chopped
• 1  cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 1⁄2 cups unsweetened coconut
• 3  cups oats
• 1⁄4 cup applesauce

Directions

1. Stir together dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda and spices).
2. In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars. Add in honey, eggs and vanilla. Slowly add in dry mixture and beat together. Stir in oats, applesauce, coconut, fruit and nuts.
3. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet; bake 12-14 minutes at 350.
4. OR, if making bars,.
5. Spread evenly into a large, glass baking pan; bake 20-25 minutes.