Dried Fruit and Nut Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed (or 1/4 cup organic low glycemic agave syrup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 organic orange zest
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup uncooked oats
• Water as needed
• 3/4 cup dried tart cherries or dried rainier cherries
• 1/4 cup macadamia nuts or hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
• 2 tablespoons dried coconut chips
• 1 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream together butter and sugar or agave.
3. Beat in the egg.
4. Add remaining ingredients and combine thoroughly. Mixture should be slightly moist. If necessary, add a small amount of water.
5. Spread into a parchment lined or non-stick 9x9-inch baking pan.
6. Bake 20 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Cool on a rack about 15 minutes before inverting onto a cutting surface.
7. Cool and cut into pieces.