Dried Fruit and Popcorn Bars

½ cup brown sugar1 teaspoon water#189; stick unsalted butter, melted2 cups dried apricots, cherries and cranberries, roughly chopped8 cups popped popcorn, warmIn a small saucepan, heat the sugar and water to 230 degrees. Transfer to a small bowl, then whisk in the butter. Add the dried fruit and toss well.Place the popcorn in a large bowl, then pour the butter-fruit mixture over it, tossing gently to coat and combine. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-by-9-inch pan. Let sit for 45 minutes. Cut into 9 bars.Serves nine.@Recipe nutrition:Nutrition values per serving: 193 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated), 36 g carbohydrates, 3 fiber, 2 g protein, 14 mg cholesterol, 1 mg sodium.Joseph DeVita, Associated Press