CALIFORNIA COOKIES..healthy cookies just got a MUCH NEEDED makeover

These are NOT your usual idea for a Health bar cookie, yet they are wonderful, tender and very very tasty; high fiber, packed with antioxidants and minerals and no high fructose corn syrup.
Great for any age group, although small children may have to avoid the dark chocolate.

Makes one  greased 9 x9 x 2inch pan

Preheat oven 350F

Fruit filling (recipe below)


The cookie crust:

1 cup whole wheat flour ( or 50:50  all purpose and whole wheat, or GF)
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or date sugar
1/2 cup unsalted dairy butter or coconut butter
1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)


Mix all the dry together well in a bowl then cut in the fat to resemble breadcrumbs.
Press half the mix in the bottom of the greased pan and cover with the grated chocolate

1/2 cup grated dark chocolate (optional)

Gently spread the fruit filling over the chocolate layer and then crumble the remaining oat mix on top.
Pressing lightly into the fruit filling.
Bake 30-35 mins.
remove form oven and cool in pan.
Cut into bars when cold.

Fruit filling:

1 cup orange juice (pref. Fresh)
1 cup snipped pitted prunes* or dates (or a mix of both)
Place in saucepan bring to boil and simmer for 4-5 mins or until fruit is softened.
Add 
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped raw nuts ( walnut, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds)
2tbsp flour
1/8tsp sea salt
Mix well and cook until the mixture is very thick (stirring at all times as it can scorch)..takes about 5 mins.
Remove from heat and allow to cool before using.

Variations:
Try using snipped dried apricots and or dried figs*.
Add another spice in place of cinnamon, cardamon or allspice is nice.
In place of orange juice try with grapefruit juice or a mix of 1/2 orange and 1/2 lemon juice, for a less sweet version.
For holiday season add rum or whisky
You may also add ground flax seeds to the cookie mix as well as toasted sesame seeds.
Also replace half the fat with tahini for a richer flavor.

 For easier to use dried fruit, always soak them for a few hours in a little boiled hot water, not too much but enough to tenderize them without making them soggy, before cutting/snipping.
Drain off the excess water before using (here you may  also add Rose or orange flower water).