Healthy Energy Bar

Tired of stopping your kids from eating those sugar loaded, so called energy bars from the stores?
Craving for some guilt free sweet pleasure? You got your answer... here.. try these healthy bars straight from your kitchen in just under an hour.

So whats in it? Just 2 Tbsp of Unbleached All Purpose Flour and 2 Tbsp of Dark Brown Cane Sugar.. not bad huh? And what about the good stuff? oh you can load this bar with all healthy nuts and dried fruits of your choice.. no two ways about it. And who is the one that holds them all together? That would be Mr.Egg and just himself.. Feel free to sneak in those Flaxseeds and/or Chia seeds.. I won't tell anyone. ;-)



Makes about 7 of those 1x4inch bars (1/2 inch thickness):

• Mix the following well with a whisker/spoon: 

1. 2 Tbsp of UnBleached All purpose Flour
2. 2 Tbsp of Dark Brown Cane Sugar 
3. 1/8 tsp of Baking Soda 
4. 1/8 tsp of Baking Powder 
5. 1/4 tsp of Salt

•  Add the following to the above mix:

1. 1/4 cup of Dried Figs (finely chopped. takes about 3 figs)
2. 1/4 cup of Dried Blueberries
3. 1/4 cup of Dried Cranberries
4. 1/8 cup of Golden Raisin
5. 1/8 cup of Dates (finely chopped. takes about 1 large date)
6. 1/2 cup of Nuts (finely chopped. can be a combination of Walnuts, Peanuts, Cashew, Almond, Pecan, Macadamia Nuts)

• Using your hands stir the fruits and nuts in the flour mix well so the fruits are thoroughly coated with the flour. 
•  Make sure the fruits are not clumped together. Separate them by your hands and get the flour onto every fruit and nut there.
• In another bowl, break 1 Large Egg and add 1/2 tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
• Using an electric hand mixer (or whisker), beat  the egg on Medium speed for 1 min and High speed for the next 3 mins OR until the Egg-Vanilla mixture is thickens to a pale creamy texture
• Add this Egg Mix to the Flour bowl and stir with a spoon until the flour, fruits and nuts are thoroughly coated with the egg
• Optional: Sprinkle 1 tsp of Flaxseeds or Chia Seeds and stir gently
• Line a Loaf Pan (5x9) with Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil. Let the foil be oversized such that the sides hang on the longer side of the pan so it will be easy for you to pull off the foil from the pan when you have to.
• Grease the inside of the foil with Extra Light Olive Oil / Cooking Spray or any cooking Oil 
• Gently pour the fruit Nut Mixture into the pan
• Spread out the batter/mix into a thin even layer of 1/2 inch thickness
• Pat the batter with the back of the spoon  so the fruits and nuts pack down well
• Preheat Oven to 325 Degrees F
• Place the Pan in the Center rack of the Oven
• Bake the Bars for 40 minutes or until a knife poked at the center of the bar comes out clean
• When done, Allow the Pan t cool on a cooling rack for 5 minutes
• Carefully pull up the edges of the foil and turn it upside down on a flat clean surface (like cutting board or a large flat plate)
• Peel off the foil gently
• Using a knife, cut the rectangular baked bar into 1 inch wide, 4 inch long rectangular bars (resembling the size of the store bought bars.) or to whatever shape (diamonds squares etc) you wish.
• You can store the bars in the refrigerator for extended shelf life but will be perfectly fine outside too for a week or so.

Note:
Feel free to add any dried fruit/nuts of your choice. You can also use bleached all purpose flour and granulated white sugar (unhealthy though).. same way since it is only 2 tbsp of flour, you can use whole wheat flour too if you are not very keen on the aftertaste..
You want Salt and Sweet Bar? simple. Add salted/roasted nuts, but remember to add less salt to the flour.

Enjoy your Snack Bar anytime of the Day! Moist and Crisp - All at once!