Snack time

Wed., Nov. 2, 2005

JoAnna M. Lund King Features Syndicate

Isn’t it great that we can combine healthy, easy and tasty all in one delicious recipe? Be ready to share this recipe, because you’ll be asked for it every time you serve these bars.

Applesauce Chocolate-Chip Bars

1 1/2 cups reduced-fat biscuit baking mix

Sugar substitute to equal 1 1/2 cups, suitable for baking

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

6 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

2 tablespoons reduced-calorie margarine

1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray a 9-by-9-inch cake pan with butter-flavored cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine baking mix, sugar substitute to equal 1/4 cup and cinnamon. Add applesauce and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Mix gently just to combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread batter into prepared cake pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Place pan on wire rack and allow to cool completely.

In a medium saucepan sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray, melt margarine and chocolate square. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons sour cream and vanilla extract. Add remaining sugar substitute to equal 1 1/4 cups sugar. Mix well to combine. Drizzle warm chocolate mixture evenly over top of cooled bars. Makes 8 servings (2 bars each).

• Each serving equals: 195 calories, 7 g fat, 3 g protein, 30 g carb., 332 mg sodium, 2 g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Fat.

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