HOMEMADE APPLE-OAT BARS

This is a recipe I came up with to replace the 'store-bought' breakfast, granola, or whatever bars that are too expensive and often have too much fat or sugar.  These are good with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or hot tea.   In fact, I am eating one with my coffee now as I type this.  The only fat in this recipe is in the healthy walnuts.  And remember cinnamon is a blood sugar stabilizer so go heavy with a bit of a rounded teaspoonful.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray an 8-inch square baking pan or round cake pan with butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

1 cup raw quick oats
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup Splenda Granulated
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup coarsely diced apple
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

In a medium to large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

In a small bowl combine the Splenda, applesauce, egg, and vanilla, stirring to blend well.  Stir the applesauce mixture into the oats mixture until well combined. Stir in the apples and nuts until completely blended in.  Spread the mixture (this mixture will not pour, it is thick and heavy) into the prepared baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until bars start to pull away from the sides of the pan, looks dry and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool completely in pan before slicing.  To slice, cut through the center dividing in half.  Then cut across the opposite direction to form bars the size of your choice.  Be sure the bars are cooled completely before storing in a plastic bag or airtight container.  Otherwise, they will sweat and become sticky.