Dried Fruit Energy Bars Food

DRIED-FRUIT-AND-NUT HEALTH BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place dates in a small saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a simmer. Drain reserving cooking water. Puree dates in a food processor with honey and 1/4 cup reserved cooking water until smooth.
• Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Mix oats or quinoa flakes, nuts, papaya, cherries, blueberries, bran, flaxseed, wheat germ, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Mix in date puree. The mixture should be moist enough to hold together. If necessary, add up to 1/2 cup more cooking water. Press mixture into pan.
• Bake until center is firm and edges are golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 bars.

DRIED FRUIT ENERGY BARS

Steps:

• Line an 8-in. square baking pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides. Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Transfer to a large bowl. Set aside and allow to cool completely. , In a food processor, combine dates, coconut oil, almond butter, protein powder and vanilla. Cover and pulse until blended. Add coconut and chia seeds. Pulse until combined. Add oats and cooked quinoa. Pulse until combined., Press firmly into prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until set. Lifting with parchment, remove from pan. Using a serrated knife, cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.

FRUIT-FILLED OATMEAL BARS

Steps:

• In mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda.
• Cut in margarine/butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of the flour mixture.
• Press remaining flour mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x9x2 baking pan.
• Spread with desired filling.
• Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.
• Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden.
• Cool in pan on wire rack.
• Cut into bars.
• FILLING OPTIONS:.
• ***Following cookbook's 'shortcut' suggestion of substituting 10 oz jar of preserves in place of homemade filling, I used a store-bought, very dense, low-moisture apple butter (like a thick jam). I have also tried it with blueberry preserves but the preserves were too moist--it made the bars sticky not good.***.
• RAISIN FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch. Add 1 cup raisins. Cook & stir until thickened & bubbly.
• APPLE-CINNAMON FILLING:.
• Peel/core/chop 2 medium apples. In medium saucepan, combine apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a dash of ground cloves. Bring apple mixture to a boil; reduce heat & simmer 8-10 minutes or until apples are very tender.
• APRICOT-COCONUT FILLING:.
• In medium saucepan, combine 1 cup diced dried apricots and 3/4 cup water. Bring apricot mixture to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon all purpose flour. Stir into apricot mixture. Cook and stir 1 minute more or until mixture is very thick. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut.

RICE KRISPIES PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BARS

Steps:

• Combine all the dried fruit, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds into a processor; PULSE until finely chopped but not to a powder, transfer to a large bowl.
• Mix in rolled oats and rice cereal until blended.
• In a microwave-safe bowl mix together honey (or corn syrup) white sugar and peanut butter until well combined; heat in the microwave until just hot and bubbly.
• Stir in the powdered milk with vanilla and almond extract until completely combined, then pour over the cereal mixture; mix using a wooden spoon until coated.
• Mix in the mini chocolate chips.
• Press mixture prepared pan, using slightly wet hands to press down.
• Cut into desired size squares, and let cool before removing from the pan.