Cranberry Flax Granola Bars

(Click on photo for larger view)

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup Crisco
3 egg whites
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup ground flax seed
2 1/2 cups regular (not instant) oatmeal
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup dried cranberries (I used Craisins)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips (dark or semisweet)
1/3 cup nuts (optional) (I used no-salt, roasted almonds)

Blend peanut butter, Crisco, brown sugar, vanilla and egg whites. Stir in flax seed, oatmeal, cinnamon and salt.

Once well mixed, blend in dried cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts.

Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam and pat the mixture into the pan with damp hands.

Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees or until just set.

Cut into 12 bars as soon as you remove the pan from the oven.

Once cooled, remove bars from the pan.

Yield: 12 bars

These are delicious! I got the recipe at a cooking class at my gym. I believe each bar has 180 calories. Other than the Crisco, these bars are a perfect snack.