Recipe: Beananza Bars (with raisins, dates, coconut, and nuts)

BEANANZA BARS

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup natural wheat and barley cereal (Grape Nuts)
1 can (15 ounces each) Pinto or Great Northern beans or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry packaged Pinto or Great Northern beans, rinsed, well drained, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup dark raisins
3/4 cup chopped dates
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
7 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.

Combine flour, brown sugar, oats, cereal, beans, raisins, dates, coconut, and walnuts in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Press mixture evenly into greased 13x9-inch baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F. until bars are browned and firm to touch in center, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.

Makes 32 to 36 bars
Source: American Bean Board