HARVEST FRUIT BARS

1¼ cup dried fruit or 6 oz. pkg. dried mixed fruit

1 cup diced banana (about 2 medium)

2/3 cup orange juice*

1½ tea. apple pie spice or ground cinnamon, divided

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1¾ cups flour

2 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned*)

½ cup chopped nuts

In medium bowl combine dried fruit, banana, orange juice and l tea. spices; set aside. Beat together margarine and sugar until creamy. Add combined flour, oats and remaining ½ tea. spices; mix well. Reserve ¾ cup oat mixture for topping; set aside. Press remaining mixture onto bottom of ungreased 13X9” baking pan. Bake 15 min. Remove from oven; spread fruit evenly over crust to within ¼” of edges. Combine reserved oat mixture and nuts; sprinkle evenly over fruit, patting gently. Bake at 375’ for 16 to 20 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely; cut into bars. Store loosely covered. *If using old fashioned oats, decrease orange juice to ½ cup.