On-The-Go Snack Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries, chopped
• 1/2 cup slivered dried apricots
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat or all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups raisin nut granola
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with vegetable pan spray.
2. In small bowl, combine cherries, apricots, orange juice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; let stand at least 5 minutes.
3. In medium bowl, combine flour, granola and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture; beat until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture for topping; press remaining mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
4. Bake 10-12 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven; spread fruit evenly over crust. Add nuts to reserved flour/cereal mixture; mix well. Spread evenly over fruit.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely; cut into bars.