Butterscotch Fruit & Nut Bars

Submitted by Muffin Head

"A tasty snack for all ages. I got this from my Aunt Christine, who always makes a double batch because they're eaten so quickly."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 20 Bars
• Serves: 20

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter, chopped
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1⁄2 cup chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 3 tablespoons sultana raisins
• 3⁄4 cup oats
• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F, line a 9 x 11 inch (28 x 18 cm) pan with parchment paper, or spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Melt the first four ingredients together in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Wave the pot to cool.
3. Combine the dry ingredients and then add the melted butter mixture (making sure it is not so hot that the chocolate chips will melt).
4. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and press it into an even layer with a spoon. Bake until the top has a light golden colour (set but not solid as it will crisp as it cools), around 15-20 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet until tepid, then cut into portions. Remove from sheet when cool and store in an airtight container.

Reviews

[Al Al]

This was a very tasty bar (especially right out of the oven! :)), though it didn't turn out at all like I expected and found some of the directions a little confusing (hence 4 stars instead of 5). I think this may truly be a five star recipe though and I will definitely try it again. I was confused about why to butter and line the pan, so I just sprayed it with cooking spray and didn't have any problems with it sticking. I also don't think the chocolate chips were supposed to melt when mixing the hot ingredients into the try ones. I would recommend waiting longer before mixing them together rather than just waving the pot to cool it slightly. So I ended up with chocolate fruit and nut bars, which still tasted good and were kind of a cross between a brownie and a granola bar. :) like I said, tasty, but I don't think they turned out like they were supposed to. I used pecans rather than walnuts and white whole wheat flour, and had to use regular raisins as my golden ones had just been used up. I also baked it in a 9x9 pan for about 25 minutes, which resulted in 16 scrumptious bars. Thanks for the recipe and I will try it again soon!