Christmas Fruit Squares

Recipe by BaseballChica03 Uploaded by Drimble Wedge

One of the guys on the team I work with is diabetic, so I couldn't exactly give everyone else but him a holiday cookie box (or give him a box of cookies that would just depress him). I came across this recipe and decided to give it a try. I couldn't actually taste test it because sugar substitutes trigger my migraines, and I'm allergic to fruits in the peach family. HOWEVER, several hours after I gave him a box of these fruit squares, I got an e-mail from him that said: "ZOMG These are freakin' delicious! I have eaten about a quarter of the box and had to seal it away in my bike bag so I didn't eat them all today at work." So, apparently, tasty!

Ingredients

• cooking spray (preferably butter-flavored)
• 3/4 cup sifted flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• dash of nutmeg
• dash of vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup brown sugar substitute
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup diced apple
• 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 large egg + 1 large egg white
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon canola oil (I used sunflower oil b/c I didn't have any canola oil around)

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with sprayed parchment paper.

Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, and brown sugar substitute.

In a separate bowl, combine the walnuts, diced apple, dried apricots, and raisins. Add to the flour mixture, and toss, making sure the pieces are pretty evenly coated with the flour

In a large measuring cup or small bowl, beat well the egg, egg white, orange juice, vanilla, and oil. Add to the flour-fruit dry mixture and stir well until it's evenly moistened.

Spoon into the prepared pan, and press down evenly. Bake for 25 minutes on the center rack, until top is golden and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut into 25 squares. (It ends up being pretty small squares.) Store in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information

Per 2-square serving: 94 calories (29% calories from fat), 2 g protein, 4 g total fat (0.4 g saturated fat), 16 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, 18 mg cholesterol, 54 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges: 1 carbohydrate (fruit), 1 fat