These healthy cranberry apricot bars are little portable fruit crisps that you can tuck into your lunch box. With double the glorious streusel topping, nutty layers of cinnamon almond-scented dough are wrapped around a bright cranberry apricot filling to create a tasty mash-up of a traditional buttery crumble bar and your favorite fruit cereal bar. Loaded with good-for-you ingredients, this twist on a yummy fruit bar might be my greatest contribution to society yet (ranking right up there with these Pecan Pie Bars and Strawberry Oatmeal Bars). Healthy cranberry apricot bars are boldly flavored and will keep both your taste buds and your tummy happy, courtesy of my secret ingredient: Grape-Nuts. Time to talk fiber. Grape-Nuts are loaded with fiber (like this Chia Seed Pudding) and happen to be one of my favorite cereals, but I know that not everyone appreciates their signature crunch. If you are among the Grape-Nuts skeptics, stay with me here.
Their texture is ideal for baking crumble bars. Nutty and crispy, Grape-Nuts add a subtle crunch and complement the almond extract in the dough. Plus, you can remind yourself that your digestive system will appreciate the extra fiber as you reach for your second (or third) cranberry apricot bar.
How to Make Healthy Cranberry Apricot Bars
With their brilliant color, classic cranberry flavor, and secret dose of whole grains, healthy cranberry apricot bars are a scrumptious snack or festive holiday dessert.
The Ingredients
Cranberries. Fresh or frozen cranberries make the filling for these fruit bars bright, tart, and zippy. (If you love cranberry desserts, try these Leftover Cranberry Sauce Parfaits.)Apricot Jam. Sweetens the filling and helps to balance the tartness of the cranberries.Dried Apricots. Packed with vitamin A iron, and fiber, the dried apricots add nutrition but also excellent chewy texture to these healthy cranberry apricot bars.Sugar. Just enough to add a little extra sweetness to the filling.Cornstarch. Thickens the filling and gives it body.Ginger. Lends the filling a little bite that pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries and sweet apricots.Vanilla. Adds additional flavor and richness.Flour. The base for our buttery, crumbly crust.Oats. Provides the crust a subtle nutty flavor and slight chew (as in these Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies).Grape-Nuts. My secret ingredient for adding fiber, crunch, and AWESOME texture.Brown Sugar. Gives the crust a nice complexity of flavor.Greek Yogurt. A healthy alternative to extra butter, milk, or eggs that keeps the crust tender. (It’s also my secret to these light Strawberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bars.)Butter. Makes the crust flaky, buttery, and perfectly crumbly.Egg. Adds richness to the crust and helps bind everything together.Cinnamon + Nutmeg. For warmth and subtle spice.Almond Extract. A natural pairing for cranberries and apricots that adds an extra dimension of flavor.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Keep leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Who knew fiber could be so fun?
