Cranberry Apple Squares

INGREDIENTS

3 cups cranberries

1 cup chopped apple

1 cup chopped dates

1 cup apple juice

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup molasses

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tablepoons chopped pecans

PREPARATION

In a saucepan, combine cranberries, apple, apple juice, dates, and the 1 tablespoon sugar. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes, or until cranberry skins pop. Stir occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat; let cool.

Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Combine molasses and oil; add to the flour mixture. Stir with a fork or blend with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan. Press half of the flour mixture into the pan. Spoon the fruit mixture over the bottom layer, spreading gently and evenly over crust. Stir pecans into the remaining flour mixture. Sprinkle over the fruit layer and press in lightly. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares. Makes about 2 dozen squares.