Pick-Me-Up Bars

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 1/4 cup orange juice

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 8-ounce package pitted whole dates, snipped

• 2-1/2 cups white whole wheat flour or whole wheat flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

• 2 egg whites

• 1 tablespoon canola or cooking oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly coat foil with cooking spray; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the honey, orange juice and lemon juice. Stir in the dates; set aside.

2. Combine the flour, soda, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. In a second mixing bowl, combine applesauce, syrup, egg whites, and oil. Add applesauce mixture to the flour mixture. Beat with an electric mixer until just combined (mixture will be crumbly). Stir in date mixture. Spoon batter in the prepared baking pan; press evenly into pan with fingers or the back of the spoon.

3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool bars on a wire rack. Remove bars from pan by lifting the edges of the foil. Cut into 24 bars. Makes 24 bars.

4. Test Kitchen Tip: To store, wrap and freeze individual bars. Thaw before eating.