Oat Bars: 2 Ways

I think this is going to be a month of TWOS.  I have quite a few posts coming up that feature TWO versions of recipes.  It's the SECOND month of the year (already?!).  There's even a recipe with the word TWO in it.

Don't worry.  The theme won't carry on into March.

These oat bars are both great as a snack, or for breakfast.

I grew up with little oat bars like these first bars appearing on our table as an afternoon tea-time snack. They are not overly sweet, and just the right combination of chewy and crunchy.  They are very versatile in that you can choose whichever jam suits your fancy.  My personal favorites are blackberry or raspberry!  

Jammin' Oat Bars

Serves 16  2 inch squares

Active time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total time: 55 minutes

Serving Suggestions:  As an afternoon tea time snack or dessert.

What you'll need:

• 1/4 cup (4 TBLS) soft coconut oil OR crisco
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour, white or whole wheat (will be more crumbly)
• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup fruit-only jam OR a natural jam/fruit spread with minimal added sugar

What you'll do:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line an 8x8 baking dish with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease.
• Mix all ingredients together (minus jam).
• Press 2 cups of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the baking dish.
• Carefully spread the jam onto the oat mixture but not all the way to the edges.  Leave about 1/4 of an inch border free of jam.
• Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top and gently press into the jam.
• Bake for 40 minutes, until the top starts to turn golden brown.
• Take out of the baking dish using the foil and let cool on a wire rack before cutting.

These next bars are so easy to put together and so incredibly tasty.  Just be careful that you don't burn your tongue or eat the whole batch in one sitting!  It'll be tempting to do both.  

Oat Bars

Makes 9 squares

Active time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Serving Suggestions: A tall glass of milk.  A piece of fruit.  After a delicious dinner.

What you'll need:

• 3 TBLS flaxseed meal + 6 TBLS warm water
• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup raisins OR dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup honey OR agave nectar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter OR almond butter

What you'll do:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Mix the flaxseed meal and water together and let it sit while you prep everything else.
• Combine all the dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl.
• In a smaller bowl, mix the honey and nut butter together until nice and creamy.  Now add the flaxseed mixture and stir in.
• Add the mixed wet ingredients to the dry and stir together until everything is nice and moist.
• Press into a greased 8x8 baking dish and bake for 15 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden brown
• Let cool for 5 minutes and then cut into 9 squares.