After trying many different recipes for energy bars, I have combined the parts we like best from all the recipes into this one flexible, but always good, recipe. The dried fruit can be whatever fruit you enjoy, and the almonds and walnuts are the nuts that have worked best for us - but use your own favourites! Use either the applesauce or the pumpkin puree - the applesauce will make the bars a bit red, the pumpkin puree will make them a bit yellow, but they will always be tasty.
Ingredients (makes about 24 bars)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
- 1 cup dried fruit cut into bite size pieces - raisins, apricots, plums, cherries, etc.
- 1 cup nuts coarsely chopped - toasted almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc.
- 1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup flax seeds
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree
- 1 inch fresh ground ginger
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions for Energy Bar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl combine rolled oats, cereal, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
In a small bowl whisk applesauce or pumpkin puree, fresh ginger, brown sugar, canola oil, egg and vanilla.
Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients. Mix to coat dry ingredients. Spread into the baking pan and cook for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and there is a small amount of cracking visible on top.
Cool on a wire rack and then cut into bars.