How to Make Chocolate-Cherry Oat Bars

These chewy, nutty, chocolate bars are a very tasty treat, and the fruit and oats make them heart-healthy, too.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) softened butter
• 1 1/2 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. chopped walnuts
• oven
• 13" x 9" baking pan
• Cooking spray
• Electric mixer
• Wire rack

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, get out a 13" x 9" baking pan and spray it lightly with cooking spray.

2. Mix the cherries with the orange juice in a small microwavable bowl and microwave it on high for 30 seconds. Let this mixture stand for a few minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

3. Combine the flour with the oats, baking powder and salt. Set this mixture aside for now.

4. Beat the brown sugar and butter with an electric mixer set on medium until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.

5. Slowly stir in the flour until thoroughly blended. Then stir in the cherries, chocolate chips, and walnuts.

6. Spread the dough into the greased baking pan. Put the pan in the oven and bake it for 20 minutes or until the center looks set.

7. Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack (if you have one). Cut into 24 bars.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute 4 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs if you'd like to make these even healthier.
• You may also substitute margarine for the butter.
• Macadamia nuts, pecans, and almonds may be used instead of walnuts.
• Raisins, dried cranberries, or dried apricots may be substituted for the dried cherries.
• You may use white or milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet ones.