Fitness Bars

Photo: flickr user DrJimiGlide

Ingredients

1 cup quick cooking oats

cup sliced almonds

cup dark raisins

cup golden raisins

cup dried apricots

unsalted butter room temp

cup brown sugar

cup golden molasses

1 egg

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

cup whole wheat flour

cup nonfat dry milk

cup toasted wheat germ

teaspoon baking powder

teaspoon baking soda

teaspoon vanilla

1 pch salt

cup milk (2%% is preferable)

butter for coating the baking pan

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Spread the oats and sliced almonds on a cookie sheet. Place in the oven and toast for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Turn the oven up to 325 degrees.

Place the dried fruits in a food processor. Pulse about 10 times to chop coarsely.

In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer, place the butter, brown sugar, molasses and egg. Beat until light and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, dry milk, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in mixer and combine. Add the milk and mix thoroughly.

Mix in the raisins, apricots, oats and almonds.

Pour into a buttered 13 x 9 x 2-inch casserole and spread evenly. Bake in a 325 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the bars are completely set. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan. Cut into 18 1"x4" bars.

To store, individually wrap the bars in plastic wrap. The bars will keep for one week at room temperature or up to three months in the freezer.

NOTES : Take care of your body with exercise and good food. Make your own apricot-almond Fitness Bars from scratch. They'll keep in the freezer for several months!