Kitty's Chewy Granola Bars

Makes 25 squares

Healthy, tender and chewy

2-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

2/3 cup chopped dried apricots

1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds

1 cup Splenda brown sugar

1/2 cup (grade B) maple syrup>

1/2 cup almond butter

3/4 cup flax seed, ground

2 large egg or 4 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350F. lightly coat a 9"X13" baking dish with olive oil.
Combine oats, flour, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt in bowl. Stir in apricots, chocolate chips and nuts.
Beat brown sugar, maple syrup, almond butter, flax seed and eggs with electric beater until smooth. Stir into oat mixture.
Spread mixture in prepared baking dish, and pat down firmly. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Bake 30 t0 35 minutes or until firm. Cool 20 minutes before slicing into bars. Unmold and store in airtight container

In Historic Fairhaven next door to the Colophon Cafe