Dried Fruit & Nut Health Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• vegetable oil cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats, finely ground or 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup pecans, toasted, 1/2 cup finely ground, 1/2 cup coarsely chopped
• 1/2 unsalted macadamia nuts, toasted, 1/4 cup finely ground, and 1/4 cup coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup dried papaya, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
• 1/3 cup dried blueberries
• 2 tablespoons oat bran
• 3 tablespoons ground flax seeds
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons brown rice syrup or 3 tablespoons honey

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F Place dates in a small saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a simmer. Drain. Purée in a food processor until smooth.
2. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Mix oats or quinoa flakes, nuts, papaya, cherries, blueberries, bran, flaxseed, wheat germ, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Mix in purée dates, and brown-rice syrup or honey. Press mixture in pan.
3. Bake until center is firm and edges are golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 8 bars.