Chocolate, Cranberry & Oat Bars

Adapated from Kraft foods

Ingredients:

1 cup dried cranberries (substitute raisins for the cranberries)
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup wheat flour

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) margarine, softened
1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar (I used white granulated sugar)
2 eggs
1/2 cup Chocolate chips

1 tbsp Orange Sugar-1 tbsp (rub orange zest into vanilla sugar, and let it dry in a very low oven)

1/2 cup chopped Almonds (in original recipe Pecan Pieces are used)

Method:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Combine cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 30 sec. Let stand 10 min.
• Meanwhile, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• Beat margarine and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition.
• Stir in cranberry mixture, chocolate and almonds or pecans.
• Spread dough into 13x9-inch baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until lightly browned.
• Cool completely on wire rack before cutting into bars