Apple-Pecan Cake Bars

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup wheat germ; toasted
1 cup brown sugar; firmly packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup Pecan Valley Pecan Pieces
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 egg; beaten
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups apple; diced
½ cup oil
2 teaspoons baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Sift together whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In large bowl, combine peeled and diced apples, sugars, oil, pecans, eggs and vanilla. Add flour to mixture. Stir gently. Blend well. Turn into 2-inch deep pan.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for 50 minutes or until cake pulls from side of pan. Cool in pan or rack.
5. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
6. Cut into 12 bars.