This recipe courtesy of "The Earthbound Cookbook" by Myra Goodman

Makes 12 Squares

Oatmeal, Carrot, and Apple Breakfast Squares

• Butter, for greasing the baking dish 
• 1¾ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (see sidebar, page 000)
• 1½ cups (5 ounces) whole wheat pastry flour
• ¼ cup ground flax seeds
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1¼ cups (11¼ ounces) packed light brown sugar
• 2/3 cup canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ cups low-fat buttermilk (see sidebar, page 000)
• 1½ cups grated peeled carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
• 1 cup grated peeled apples (2 medium apples)

• 2 cups walnut pieces
• ½ cup (2 ounces) unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup (scant 2 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter the bottom and sides of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
2. Place the oats, flour, flax seeds, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium-size mixing bowl and stir to combine.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and the oil. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the buttermilk.
4. Add the oat mixture to the buttermilk mixture, and stir to combine. Add the carrots and apples, and stir just until blended. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish.
5. Place the walnuts, coconut, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir to blend, and sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the batter.
6. Bake the squares until the batter has set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Then cut into 12 pieces. (The squares can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.)