Sunflower Cherry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
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1 cup rolled oats -- either quick cooking or old fashioned
1 cup whole wheat flour 
1/2 cup brown sugar -- packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup canola oil
5 tablespoons orange juice -- divided
1/2 cup cherry preserves

Preheat oven to 325°F. 

Combine oats, flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, sunflower seeds and cherries in a large bowl. Add oil and 3 tablespoons orange juice, mixing well until all ingredients are fully combined. Reserve a half cup and press the rest into a lightly oiled 8-by-8-inch baking pan. 

Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons orange juice with the cherry preserves and spread evenly over the oat mixture in the pan. Sprinkle reserved oat mixture over the top and press down lightly with fingers. 

Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool in the pan on a wire rack then cut into bars or squares. Store in an airtight container.