Cherry Oat Bars

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
2. Add the cherries, lemon juice, zest and honey to a small sauce pot over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, cook 10 minutes.
3. Add arrowroot powder and then partially puree with a hand blender. Allow to cool in the fridge until it thickens.
4. In a large bowl, add oat flour, ground nuts oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Mix well.
5. Pour in oil and mix through until evenly coated.
6. Line a baking pan (about 8x8) with parchment paper. Press half the oat mixture into the bottom so it covers the entire bottom of the pan.
7. Spread the cherry filling evenly overtop. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the cherry filling.
8. Bake for about 40 minutes or until top is slightly brown.
9. Allow to cool, refrigerate for at least 1 hour. And then cut into bars or squares.

• Research has shown that eating soluble fibre, such as oats, may help to lower LDL cholesterol (the kind of cholesterol that is bad for your heart). 
• The soluble fibre found in oats is thought to trap cholesterol in the digestive tract and remove it from the body. Other foods with soluble fibre are beans, cereals with psyllium, okra, eggplant, barley and some fruits. 
• Oats are a whole grain. Health Canada recommends that half your grain products each day be whole grains. Whole grains are high in fibre and provide B vitamins, vitamin E, minerals, healthy fats and antioxidants.

​