Dried Cherry & Walnut Granola Bars

This was another recipe that came from a healthy cooking show that I like to catch now and then. The pros to this recipe: these were good, a healthy snack, and you know exactly what you're eating (vs the extra preservatives in boxed stuff). The cons: these aren't low fat at 9g a bar, though it is healthy fat, and dried cherries and walnuts aren't cheap. That said, I would make these again simply because they were really good, but my bank account and my scale require me to choose other things for snacks most days.

Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars

by Ellie Krieger

1 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour or regular whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1 egg, beaten to mix
1 egg white
3/4 cup chopped dried tart cherries
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
Cooking spray
1/4 cup "fruit only" apricot preserves
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, wheat germ, cinnamon and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the honey, applesauce, oil, egg and egg white until well combined. Stir in the oatmeal mixture until well combined. Add the dried cherries and walnuts.
Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out
clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Put the preserves in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. As soon as the bars come out of the oven, brush with the preserves. Cool completely and cut into 12 bars, about 4 by1 1/2 inches each.

My notes: The only thing I altered in this recipe was the preserves on top. I only had peach, so that's what I used (I think any flavor except maybe grape would be good) and I actually, just brushed it on right out of the jar. I didn't want to hassle with the extra step of boiling it - I don't know how they'd be different had I done that, but they are just fine skipping that step.