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bonnie's fruit and nut bars with rum icing

(2 ratings)
ReikiHealsTheSoul avatar
Recipe by
BonniE !
@ReikiHealsTheSoul
Cottonwood, CA

This is a delicious low-fat fruit and nut bar recipe. However, it is definitely not bland in taste! It does not contain any oil or butter, but tastes moist, rich, and has full bodied flavor. It is good iced or not. It is a versatile recipe where you can add other nuts and fruits and easily make it to suit your family's taste. This recipe makes a good gift. Cut it into bars and place on a Christmas plate, cover with saran wrap and tie with a bow. Enjoy! Recipe adapted from an old cookbook. The photos are my own.

(2 ratings)
yield 16 bars
prep time 20 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For bonnie's fruit and nut bars with rum icing

  • FRUIT NUT BARS
  • 2
    cups unbleached flour
  • 1/2
    cup sugar
  • 1
    teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2
    teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4
    teaspoon salt
  • 1/4
    teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4
    teaspoon allspice
  • 1
    teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1
    cup chopped pecans
  • 1
    cup cranberries or raisins or mix them
  • 2
    ripe bananas mashed with a fork
  • 6
    ounces pear baby food
  • 2
    egg whites slightly beaten
  • 1/4
    cup molasses
  • RUM ICING
  • 2
    tablespoons butter
  • 2
    ounces cream cheese
  • 1/2
    cup powdered sugar
  • 1
    teaspoon rum extract

How To Make bonnie's fruit and nut bars with rum icing

  • 1
    In a large mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients together: flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt, and add the fruits and nuts. Mix gently to combine.
  • 2
    In a medium mixing bowl, mix the wet ingredients: mashed bananas, pears, egg whites and molasses, beat with a hand mixer until smooth.
  • 3
    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. The batter should look like this. It will be thick. Use a 9 X 12 X 2 inch pyrex baking dish. Spray it with butter flavored Pam kitchen spray. Pour the batter evenly in the baking dish.
  • 4
    Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 30 minutes. Test with a toothpick to see if it is done. It will look like this photo.
  • 5
    Remove from the oven and place on a rack and cover with a sheet of wax paper.
  • 6
    Rum Icing Recipe: Bring the butter and cream cheese to room temperature while waiting for the cake to cool. With an electric mixer and a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, rum extract and the butter until well mixed, and then add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth. If it is too thick, add a half teaspoon of water and mix well. Spoon the mixture into a small plastic ziplock bag, close it and get the air out, and then snip the corner of the bag.
  • 7
    Pour the icing on the cake and frost.
  • 8
    This cake can be served with or without icing. We like ours warm with the rum icing on it. The rum icing melts slightly, like the icing on sweet rolls, or if you prefer, cool completely for a firmer icing. This is what it looks like iced.
  • 9
    Cut into bars and serve with a nice glass of cold milk. This recipe is a good gift for friends and family, accompanied by the recipe.
  • 10
    This is a closeup of the fruit nut bars. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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