ISO Recipe for "healthy" Fruit Bars -- NOT dessert

[MUSICMAKER]

bars, not the "hard" fruit and nut bars or granola bars. It's the "healthy snack bar" recipes being sought after.

Looking for a T&T recipe for the fruit bars that are somewhat "cakey" -- the ones with a cakey layer on the bottom, a fruit layer in the middle, and then another cakey layer for the top. Has anybody ever made anything like this??? Have a recipe to share???

[labradors]

Cakey all around, fruit in the middle - sounds like a Fig Newton. Don't have any T&T recipes, though.

[cjs]

I have one that I normally make along with other Christmas cookies, book is in bedroom where the man of the house is still slumbering...will post it a little later. Anxious to hear what other's make also.

"NOT dessert" - well, maybe I won't post it....I would think these would be dessert, sorry.

[Mare749]

The only bars I ever make are my mom's Pineapple Bars and you probably already have a recipe for those. They are a little bit healthy because they have oatmeal, nuts, and preserves, but not so healthy because of all the sugar. They are pretty sweet. Let me know if you want me to post it.

[luvnit]

Sounds like you are looking for Breakfast Bars. My Frugal Mom's Groups posted these:

Blueberry Breakfast Bars
Makes 12 to 16 large bars

Bottom Layer
2 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I use organic)
3/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

10 Tablespoons (1 stick + 2 Tbsp/5 ounces) butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Top Layer
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick/four ounces) butter or natural vegetable oil sticks (I use Earth Balance)

Middle Layer
3-1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (1/4 tsp. if freshly ground)

For the Bottom Layer: Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a 9" x 13" pan. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan with your fingers. (I also use the bottom of a stainless steel measuring cup to help make the crust flat and even.)

For the Top Layer: Place the flour, brown sugar, and butter or vegetable oil sticks in a small bowl and use a fork, pastry blender, or your fingers to combine until the mixture resembles large crumbs (some pea-sized clumps are okay). Set aside.

For the Middle Layer: Place the blueberries in the bowl you mixed the Bottom Layer in and toss them with the almond extract. Pour them evenly over the Bottom Layer in the pan. Combine the sugar and flour and sprinkle it evenly over the blueberries. (Even when wet or frozen, the sugar/flour mixture wouldn't stick to my big fat blueberries when I tried tossing it with them. If yours will, just toss the sugar/flour mixture with the blueberries and then pour the whole mixture over the Bottom Layer in the pan.)

Sprinkle the Top Layer evenly over the blueberry mixture. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden, and the edges are starting to brown. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Store in a cool place or refrigerate. Bars may also be frozen.

Peach Blueberry Breakfast Bars: Substitute 3 cups of small peach chunks (about 2 peaches, no need to peel them) and 2 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries for the 3-1/2 cups of blueberries. Toss the sugar and flour directly with the fruit before spreading it over the bottom layer. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then lower the oven to 350 degrees and bake until topping looks "dry" but edges aren't too brown, about 30 to 40 minutes.

[MUSICMAKER]

Quote:

---

Cakey all around, fruit in the middle - sounds like a Fig Newton.

---

. . . .great way to describe it, Labradors!


Oooohhhhh weeeeeeeeeeeeee! Look at you, Laura! You go, girl!!! Thanks! Lovein' the sound of those peachy ones!!!