Recipe: Cranberry & Pecan Energy Bars

Loaded with heart-friendly omega-3s, B-vitamins, the antioxidant and anti-infl ammatory vitamin E, as well as potassium, calcium and iron, and with virtually no saturated fat, these Energy Bars provide an excellent compromise

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients for 8 bars

• 100g self-raising
• wholemeal flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 100g dark brown sugar
• 200g dried cranberries
• 100g pecans, roughly chopped
• 200g soft, pitted dates, roughly chopped
• 1 heaped tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• Grated zest of 2 oranges
• 2 large eggs

Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Lightly grease a silicon bar tray (really worth investing in if you like your energy bars) or a 20cm sq baking tray.
2. Combine all the ingredients except the eggs in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl or cup, briefly beat the eggs with a fork, then mix with the fruit and nut mixture and stir until everything is coated with the egg.
4. Spoon equal amounts of the mixture into the bar tray, or pour the whole lot into the baking tray and press down lightly to level off.
5. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cake is a deep, golden brown and slightly coming away from the sides of the tray. Remove and place the tray on a wire rack to cool. Cool in the baking tray. When cool, remove the individual bars or cut into squares with a sharp knife.