Fruit and Oatmeal Bars

Crumb Mixture:

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups rolled oats1/2 cup applesauce
• 3/4 cup margarine, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 cup Splenda
• 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds

Filling:
1/2 jar Smuckers Sugarfree Jam (Blackberry, Raspberry, Apricot, or Strawberry) – about 3/4 cup jam

Heat oven to 350 F.

For crumb mixture, in large mixer bowl combine all crumb mixture ingredients. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is crumbly, 1 to 2 minutes (may be more like stiff dough instead). Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture (you may need to add 1/2 cup flour to this to get it crumblier for topping). Press remaining crumb mixture into greased 13×9-inch baking pan.

For filling, spread jam to edge of crumb mixture – it will be fairly thin. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture and coconut. Bake for 22 to 27 minutes or until edges are browned. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Makes 12

Variation: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries, or chopped dried mixed berries, dried apples, or other dried fruit to the crust mixture. Use only 6 TBSP grape or blackberry jelly in the filling.

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1 cup creamy Peanut Butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• Peanuts optional