Easy Fruit Filled Bars
1 c. whole wheat pastry flour (I used 1/2 c. regular whole wheat, and 1/2 c. all purpose flour)
3/4 c. quick oats
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. pecans, chopped (I left these out, and it was fine)
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 egg white
2 T. canola oil
1 T. fat-free milk
1 (10 oz.) jar fruit spread (I used apricot pineapple, but you can use your favorite jam)
Preheat oven to 350 and grease/spray 9x9" pan.
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, nuts, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. In small bowl, whip together egg white, oil and milk. Add egg mixture to flour, stirring until well blended. With fingers, blend until it forms moist crumbs. Reserve 1 c. of crumbs, firmly press remaining crumbs into prepared pan.
Bake until set and lightly browned on edges, about 10 minutes.
If needed, place fruit spread in small microwave-safe bowl, and warm slightly until easily spreadable. Spread jam evenly over warm crust and top with reserved crumbs. Bake until jam is bubbly at the edges and top is lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. Let bars cool completely before cutting. Makes 16 bars.
