Apricot Pecan Bars

[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]Apricot Pecan Bars\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”5″ ][cs_element_text _id=”6″ ][cs_content_seo]Recipe courtesy of The American Institute of Cancer Research\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”7″ ][cs_content_seo]Sharing is caring\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”8″ ][cs_element_layout_row_2 _id=”9″ ][cs_element_layout_column_2 _id=”10″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”11″ ][/cs_element_layout_column_2][/cs_element_layout_row_2][cs_element_gap _id=”12″ ][cs_element_text _id=”13″ ][cs_content_seo]Give your kids a breakfast boost with these homemade apricot bars. Unlike many packaged granola bars, our recipe contains whole grain oats, loaded with soluble fiber, selenium and B vitamins. Eating whole-grain snacks is a great way to get more fiber into your family’s diet for long-lasting energy and lower cancer risk. Real dried apricots pack vitamin A and potassium while pecans add a hearty crunch and, with silken tofu, gives extra protein power.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”14″ ][cs_element_image _id=”15″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”16″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”17″ ][cs_content_seo]Ingredients\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”18″ ][cs_element_text _id=”19″ ][cs_content_seo]3 cups quick cooking oats 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
3 cups unsweetened grain cereal (cheerios or shredded wheat)
2 cups dried apricots, chopped
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
12 oz. silken tofu, drained
1 large egg
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. lemon zest, freshly grated 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Canola oil cooking spray

Makes 24 servings. Per serving: 190 calories, 8 g total fat (1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 30 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 55 mg sodium, 15 g sugar, 8 g added sugar.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”20″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”21″ ][cs_content_seo]Directions\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”22″ ][cs_element_text _id=”23″ ][cs_content_seo]Spread oats and pecans on large (15×10 inch) baking dish. Bake until lightly brown and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes.
Transfer to large mixing bowl and add cereal, apricots and flour; stir to combine.
Puree tofu, egg, applesauce, oil, honey, vanilla and lemon zest in a blender until smooth. Make a well in the center of the oat mixture and fold in the tofu mixture until combined. Coat 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and spread the mixture uniformly in the dish.
Bake until firm in the center and golden brown, approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the dish before cutting into bars with a sharp knife.

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