1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. applesauce (no sugar added)
1/2 c. honey
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (8 oz.) pkg. chopped dates
1/2 c. chopped nuts
2 1/2 c. crushed bran flakes
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Oil a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, soda, and spice. Combine the applesauce, honey, oil, and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients. Stir in the dates and nuts. Combine the bran and butter; sprinkle half over bottom of pan. Drop batter over bran; spread evenly. Sprinkle with remaining bran mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars. Makes 35 bars.