Fruit Jumbles

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Yield:
Makes 2 1/2 dozen

These healthy snacks disguised as cookies are perfect lunchbox treats -- plus, there's no cooking necessary.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted pecans, coarsely chopped

  • 2 cups dried fruits, such as pineapple, apricots, cranberries, and golden raisins

  • 1 ½ cups granola cereal

  • ½ teaspoon coarse salt

  • cup light corn syrup

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon orange juice

  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the chopped pecans on a baking pan. Bake until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer pecans to a bowl to cool.

  2. Cut the dried fruit, except the raisins, into 1/4-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, combine all of the dried fruit, nuts, granola, and salt; set aside.

  3. In a small saucepan, combine the corn syrup, butter, and orange juice. Set the pan over medium heat until the butter has melted, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the orange zest.

  4. Pour the corn-syrup mixture over the fruit mixture; stir well. Set aside until completely cool, about 1 hour.

  5. Using a 1 1/4-inch ice-cream scoop or a tablespoon, form the cooled mixture into 30 balls. Place into paper mini-muffin cups or in a single layer in an airtight container, and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 week.

Cook's Notes

The pecans may be replaced with other nuts or an additional cup of granola. These Fruit Jumbles keep in the fridge for up to a week.

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