- 16 ounces stemmed, chopped dried figs
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup stevia or monk fruit sweetener
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice or zest from one orange
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- ½ cup olive oil or heart-healthy margarine, softened (look for one with no trans fats or low in saturated fat)
- 1 cup packed coconut sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¼ cups old fashioned rolled oats
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil or spray a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Combine figs, walnuts, natural sweetener, orange juice and hot water in a mixing bowl; set aside. Beat together margarine and coconut sugar until creamy. Add egg and mix until smooth.
3. Mix flour and baking soda; stir into egg mixture; blend in oats to make soft dough. Reserve 1 cup of dough for topping.
4. With floured fingertips, press the remaining dough into a thin layer of dough on the bottom of the baking pan.
5. Spread fig mixture evenly over the dough and pat firmly. Crumble reserved dough by teaspoonfuls over top, allowing fig mixture to show.
6. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in baking pan. Cut into 1 x 3 inch bars. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Tips:
Figs are a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, two key nutrients in the DASH eating plan.
