Healthy, Yummy, Goooooey ..What more can you ask for??

In search of a P approved, healthy snack, that can easily be popped into P's bag for the day I remembered this recipe I had made quite a while ago...Originally these were "fig-bars" a healthy alternative to Fig-Newtons. I thought I would make those but when it came to buying the dried fruit I found that prunes are actually a lot cheaper and thanks to my mom, dried prunes are a new favorite of mine! WEIRD!

These oh so "yummo" goodies are sweetened (not by very much) with Agave, fiber-filled, whole-grain, and contain 3 different fruits! For those of you who haven't ventured out of there comfort zone of sweeteners...Agave Nectar is awesome! It's all natural, has a lower glycemic index, can be substituted in almost anything easily, and my favorite...P uses it instead of H.F.C. laden "maple syrup"!

Here is the recipe for those willing to try them out yourself..I promise you wont be disappointed!

Oaty Prune Bars!

Filling:

8 ounces dried prunes

4 ounces pitted dates

2 tbsp. silvered or chopped almonds (optional)

1 tbsp. agave nectar

2 tbsp. water

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ginger

Put the prunes, dates, and almonds into the food processor. Grind to a coarse paste. Stir in the remaining filling ingredients and process until mixed. Set aside.

Crust:

1 cup regular or quick oats, ground in blender until fine

1 cup regular or quick oats, uncooked (not instant oatmeal)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

4 ounces unsweetened apple sauce

3 tbsp. agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener)

1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir in the wet ingredients, mixing well to a thick consistency. Press half the crust mixture into the bottom of an oiled, eight-inch square cake pan (use a wooden spoon or your hands). Spread the fig mixture evenly over the crust. Smooth the remaining crust mixture over the filling. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

(This recipe is a variation of Skinny Figgy Bars from Fat-Free Vegan http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/08/skinny-figgy-bars.html)

P rating: "you know those cranberry things you packed in my lunch today...they were dang good!"- my response "sweetie those are prune bars!" he he :)

I hope y'all have a wonderful week/weekend....hopefully my next post will be full of GREEN!!