Desserts/smart cookies

Makes: 24 squares

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

From: Hanaford Healthy Food Magazine (real title unknown)

Ingredients

Cooking oil or spray

1 1/2 cups flour

2 cups oats

1/4 cup oat bran or wheat germ

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 cup apple juice

1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1/4 cup oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Optional: 1/2 dried cranberries or cherries

Optional: 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Optional: 1/2 cup peanuts or almonds

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375. Spray or brush a 9x13 baking dish with oil.

Step 2

In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, oat bran or wheat germ and cinnamon. Make a well in the center of the mixture.

Step 3

Pour in the apple juice, apple sauce, oil, vanilla extract and chocolate chips. If you want, add all or some of the optional ingredients. Mix slowly until everything is damp and you don't see any more flour.

Step 4

Scoop out all of the batter from the bowl and spread it evenly in the pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove pan from oven and cut into squares. Put the squares on a baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes longer. Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes before serving.