Wholesome Granola Bars 

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Serves: 20 person(s)

Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins
Extra Time: 25 mins (for pre-toasting almonds and for cooling bars)

Yield: 20 x bars

For a lower fat snack, munch on these cherry granola bars.
Per serving: 148 calories, 4 g fat and 0 cholesterol.
Saves: 245 calories, 14 g fat and 34 mg cholesterol over regular granola bars!

Ingredients:

Granola bars, especially packaged ones, are notoriously high in calories, fat and/or sugar. Wholesome Granola Bars lower the calories, fat and cholesterol by replacing regular granola with lowfat, by reducing the shortening and nuts, and by using egg whites instead of whole eggs. Decreasing the added sugars and mixing in cherries makes these bars naturally good.

To learn more about recipe makeovers see CalorieKing's library article "Smart Substitutes: Your Guide to Low-Calorie Cooking Alternatives".

Recipe Makeover
1 1/2 cup low-fat granola (such as Healthy Choice Plain Granola) 1 cup uncooked quick or old-fashioned oats 3/4 cup dried tart cherries, deseeded 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 egg whites, slightly beaten 1/3 cup honey 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Traditional Recipe
2 1/4 cup regular granola 2 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup raisins 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup shortening 2 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 3 eggs, beaten 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line the bottom and sides of an 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside.

Combine granola, oatmeal, cherries, flour, almonds, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Stir together egg whites, honey, brown sugar and oil. Stir into the cereal mixture, stirring until all is coated. Press mixture evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bars are light brown. Let cool on a wire rack. Use foil to remove bars from pan. Let cool completely. Cut into bars.

Author:

Cherry Marketing Institute
Choose Cherries