Harvest Fruit Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 oz. diced mixed dried fruit
2 medium bananas, chopped
2/3 c. orange juice
1 tsp. apple spice or ground cinnamon
8 oz. margarine or butter, softened
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1 1/2 c. quick or old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 tsp. apple pie spice or cinnamon
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Preparation

Heat oven to 375\u00b0.
Combine first four ingredients in medium bowl; set aside, stirring occasionally.
In large bowl beat together margarine and sugar.
Add combined flour, oats, and 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice.
Beat until crumbly.
Reserve 3/4 cup oat mixture for topping.
Press remaining oat mixture onto bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
Bake 15 minutes.
Spread fruit evenly over crust to within 1/4 inch of edge.
Combine nuts and reserved oat mixture; sprinkle evenly over fruit.
Pat down lightly.
Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool completely; cut into bars. Store loosely covered.
Yields 32 bars.