Wholesome Granola Bars

These delicious, wholesome granola bars, made with oats, almonds and dried cherries, make a great 'on-the-run' breakfast, afternoon snack or tuck one into your child's lunch box.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups low fat granola
1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large egg whites, slightly beaten
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Directions:

1. Line bottom and sides of an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Combine granola, oatmeal, cherries, whole wheat flour, almonds and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Stir together egg whites, honey, brown sugar and oil. Stir into the cereal mixture, stirring until all is coated. Press mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C). oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until bars are light brown. Let cool on a wire rack. Use foil to remove bars from pan. Let cool completely. Cut into bars.

Makes 12 bars.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute.