Dried Fruit Bars
1 egg plus 3 extra egg whites
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1 cup pitted dried apricots, cut into small pieces
2 cups pitted dates, cut into small pieces
2 cups shelled walnuts, coarsely chopped
Set the oven at 325 F. Lightly grease a 13″ x 9″ baking pan, set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the whole egg, egg whites, brown sugar and vanilla for one minute. With the mixer set on its lowest speed, add the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Remove the bowl from the mixer stand. With a wooden spoon stir in the cherries/cranberries, apricots, dates and nuts. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
Bake the mixture for 25 to 35 minutes or until the top is firm to the touch.
Let the pan cool completely in the refrigerator. Make 5 vertical cuts and 5 horizontal cuts. Remove the squares from the pan with a flexible spatula and store in an airtight container.