Sweet and crunchy, these bars are a healthy way to satisfy a 3 p.m. cookie craving. Mix up the fruit and nuts each time you bake them, and your taste buds will never grow bored! Recipe from Joy of Baking.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 cups dried fruit (such as apricots, dates, and cherries), chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups dry roasted nuts (such as pecans and almonds), chopped
  • 1egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8-by-8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or coat with nonstick spray.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and baking powder together in a large bowl until evenly combined. Add sugar, fruit, and nuts, and mix to coat all fruit and nuts with the flour mixture.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat egg with vanilla until frothy and thick, about 2 minutes. Stir egg into flour mixture until evenly mixed. Spread mixture into prepared pan, using a spatula to smooth out the top.
  4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.