Steel-Cut Oat Squares

So you know how Scot eats so much oatmeal made from steel-cut oats?  Well, that means I have a [used to be] 50 lb bag of steel-cut oats in an airtight container in my basement!  And I'm dying to find new ways to use them!

While sifting through different food blogs the other day, I happened upon this gal and a recipe she had for Cinnamon steel cut oat bars!  I was intrigued so I read further.  When I got done I had already calculated the fact that I had everything needed on hand and that these would make a nice after-dinner dessert-replacing treat!

I switched up a few things, like raisins instead of chocolate chips and PB in the bar instead as a garnish (since I didn't have pecans on hand).  They turned out well - a little crunchy/chewy on the inside due to the oats that took as all by surprise.  In retrospect, I think these squares make a great afternoon energy boost for the kids (or a tide-you-over snack pre-dinner), but they aren't hearty enough to be a breakfast substitute (unless you consumed about 4 of them!) and they are definitely not dessert martial for our house.

If you want a breakfast cookie- use these.  And if you want a dessert, try this or this!

Next time, I may add some chocolate chips to see what that does.

How do you use your steel cut oats?  I'd love to know!

Steel Cut Oat Bars
Makes 20 squares

• 1 1/2 c almond milk
• 1/4 c honey or brown sugar
• 2 t vanilla
• 1 1/2 c steel cut oats - dry
• 1/2 c flax seed
• 1 T Cinnamon
• 1/4 t nutmeg
• 1 c PB
• 1 c smashed banana (2 bananas) OR 1 c apple sauce maybe?
• Handful or two of chocolate chips (opt)

--Mix the milk, honey/sugar and vanilla together in a small bowl.
--In a larger bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together and mix well
-- Add wet to dry and stir until all combined.
-- Stir in the PB and banana until combined (and chocolate chips if using)
-- Spread in a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake for 50-60 minutes - until it's golden brown!