Cherry Walnut Bars with Fig Glaze

It is to be expected.

I'm sure all home cooks have experienced it. More than once. More times than they'd like to count probably.

It's a rut. A cooking rut to be more specific. Remember back in April when I was stuck in one?

It's happening again.

I've made nearly 10 recipes recently that have either been complete failures (popcorn brittle grrr....>:-O) or not good enough to grace the pages of HTIC.

And while these bars aren't earth shattering they are tasty, easy to make and an awesome wholesome snack. When I tried them my tastebuds didn't fall asleep. Finally a step in the right direction.

Dried cherries are by far my favorite dried fruit. Cherries period rock my world and I wish they were in season longer around her. Just a few months in the summer and then they're gone. I got a small package of dried cherries in my Foodzie tasting box months ago and haven't found a good way to use them until now.

The original recipe called for more cherries than I had, so I subbed in a bit of chocolate to make up the difference. Chocolate can fix anything right?

The original recipe also called for apricot jelly to make the glaze for the top, which I also didn't have. Of course fig butter is an excellent alternative :D I would also recommend pumpkin butter or cherry preserves. 

I will definitely be packing these as a snack while I'm at school. I think they would make the perfect post work out snack, guilt-free desert or a quick breakfast.

If you have any other recipes to guide me out of my rut send them my way :D 

Cherry Walnut Bars with Fig Glaze
Adapted from Ellie Krieger

1 cup oats
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1 egg, beaten
1 egg white
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup fruit jelly (I used fig butter, but you can use any fruit you like!)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix oats, flour, wheat germ, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.
2. In a separate bowl whisk together honey, syrup, applesauce, oil, egg and egg white. Combine wet mix with dry mix until just combined.
3. Fold in cherries, chocolate chips and walnuts. Coat an 8x8 glass pan with cooking spray. Pour mixture into pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
4. While cooling, add fruit jelly to small saucepan and bring to boil. Brush over bars. Cut into desired size and enjoy :D

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