A Sweet Breakfast

         
          My family and I try to eat very healthy throughout the week. Part of that goal is having very little if no sweets. But, every weekend we give ourselves a little break. We by no means pork out on sweets and junk food, but I try to make a really yummy breakfast every Saturday morning that may or may not fit a healthy eating profile. My opinion is, you gotta give yourself a little somethin' somethin' every now and then or you'll never be able stick to eating healthy the rest of the time! So this morning, I found this recipe for Apple Date Bars. These actually aren't that unhealthy as they're chocked full of dried dates which are amazing for you and they have a hearty serving of apples baked into them as well. Most importantly though, they tasted AWESOME! I, of coarse, ate one straight out of the oven. The crust that forms on top is satisfyingly caramelized and crunchy, which contrasts perfectly with the moist, chewy interior. Let's just say, we enjoyed our breakfast this morning! Give them a shot.


Yield: 16 bars
270 calories per bar


Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 7 tablespoons butter, softened 
• 1 large egg 
• 2 large egg whites 
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pitted dates
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 large)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled Red Delicious apple (about 1 large)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• Cooking spray
• 
  
• Directions:
•      1. Preheat oven to 325°.
•      2. Lightly spoon 2 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. 
•      3. Combine 2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Set aside.
•      4. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at high speed for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add egg and egg whites, beating well after each addition. Stir in applesauce and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture; stir just until combined to form a stiff batter. 
•      5. Toss dates with 1 teaspoon flour. Toss apples with juice. Add dates, apples, and nuts to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. 
•      6. Pour batter into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Tips:

• Though the recipe calls for one Red Delicious apple, I only had a Golden Delicious on hand. It still turned out super good. I think the general idea is to incorporate a sweet apple that will contrast with the tartness of the Granny Smith apple. So, use your imagination!
• Also, when I first read this recipe, I was like, "What the heck, where am I going to find dried dates?" They're just not something I ever use. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find them in my local grocery store right next to the raisins and other dried fruits. They are a little different than I expected, but good. They would make a very good and healthy snack on the go.