I love these bars. A friend introduced them to me awhile ago and I have been making them nearly every other week since then. Now that school is back in session I cut one bar in half and send each of the kids a little square once in awhile in their lunch. I feel a lot better about them eating these oat bars then I would store bought granola bars. I don't worry about all the preservatives and I know these are realatively healthy. And they are far more filling too! {sorry for the poor picture quality}
Chocolate Strawberry & Oat Energy Bars
Makes 16 or more bars depending on how you cut them {16 bars @ 172 calories each}
Ingredients:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk {I used almond mylk}
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups organic rolled oats
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup carob chips
1/4 cup strawberry jam, melted
1/4 cup carob chips, melted
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350F. Line a 7 X 11 X 2 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Grease lightly.
In a large bowl, combine the oil, brown sugar, vanilla/white granulated sugar, egg, milk, vanilla and salt. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until the sugars have dissolved.
In a separate bowl, combine oats, all flours, baking soda and chocolate chips. Stir until combined. Add to liquid mixture and mix well. Transfer to the prepared tin and spread uniformly.
You can bake as is at this point, or spread a 1/4 cup of melted preserves on top with an offset spatula/butter knife and then bake.
Bake 20-30 minutes until golden.Remove from oven and spread the melted chocolate over it and allow to cool until firm.
Once cool, chill for about an hour for the chocolate to set. Cut into bars/ squares and store tightly covered. Refrigerate if the weather is warm because the chocolate will melt. These bars keep well in an airtight box in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Adapted from Passionate About Baking
