Pecan & Toasted Oat Nuggets

Ingredients

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup dried figs

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup pecans

1 large egg

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 24 mini (2-inch) muffin cups with cooking spray.

2. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, stir in figs and set aside to plump.

3. Spread oats in a small baking pan and bake, stirring twice, until light golden and fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool.

4. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

5. Grind pecans (or walnuts) in a food processor until they form a paste. Add egg, brown sugar (or Splenda), oil and vanilla; process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides. Add to the dry ingredients. Add the figs (with liquid) and oats; stir just until combined. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups.

6. Bake the muffins until the tops spring back when touched lightly, 12 to 15 minutes. Let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then loosen the edges and turn out onto the rack to cool slightly before serving.