ORANGE-PECAN BARS
This recipe is from “Best of Vegetarian Times.”

½ C. margarine, softened
1 C. dark brown sugar or granulated sugar cane juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. grated orange peel
¼ C. orange juice concentrate mixed with 1 C. water
1 C. unbleached white flour
½ C. whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 oranges, peeled, sectioned and cut into small pieces
1 C. chopped pecans, toasted for 5-8 minutes at 375 degrees

Glaze: (optional)
1/2 C. maple syrup or honey
¼ C. undiluted orange juice concentrate
2 Tbsp. margarine

1. In a large bowl, cream together margarine and sugar.
2. Add vanilla, orange peel and orange juice concentrate mixed with water. Mix well.
3. Stir in flours, baking soda and orange pieces. Stir in pecans.
4. Spread mixture into a sprayed 9x13 baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees. Set aside.
5. In a saucepan, combine glaze ingredients (if desired). Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes more. (Test doneness of glaze by dropping a bit of it into a glass of cool water. If it holds its shape, it’s ready.)
6. Serve warm orange-pecan bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and hot glaze spooned over the top.