Happy New Year!
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! It truly is my favorite time of the year… Today we took the lights down and tucked away the Christmas ornaments, and I must say, our home is looking a little dreary.
I thought that I’d kick off 2013 in an unrefined way… with blueberry oat squares. Not only easy to make, these babies are packed with the goodness of rolled oats, whole wheat, coconut, and (of course) fruit. Then, not wanting to ruin a good, healthy thing, I sweetened them with coconut sugar… Not familiar with coconut sugar? It’s an unrefined, granulated sweetener, made from the sap from coconut buds. I understand that it is nutritious and has a low glycemic index. It also tastes delicious!
What’s the first thing you baked (or plan to bake) this year?
Blueberry Oat Squares
1 cup Rolled Oats
3/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
2/3 cup Coconut Sugar, lightly packed
1/4 cup Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Coconut Oil (in a soft solid state)
1 cup Applesauce (unsweetened)
1 cup Blueberries (I used frozen)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/8 tsp Ground Ginger
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Stir together the applesauce, blueberries, vanilla, and ginger. Set aside.
Stir together the oats, flour, coconut sugar, shredded coconut, baking soda, and salt.
Add the coconut oil and oat mixture to the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs… Alternatively, you could cut the oil in using a pastry blender or fork, in which case I would use quick oats (not instant!).
Set aside half a cup of the crumb mixture. Firmly press the rest into an ungreased 8×8-inch pan.
Spread the fruit mixture over the base of the squares, then sprinkle with the remaining crumb mixture.
Bake for 35 minutes until the top is golden.
Cool in pan, on rack. When completely cool, place in refrigerator for an hour to set (I find this makes cutting the squares easier).
Cut into squares and remove from pan.
Store in refrigerator.
Makes 9 – 12 squares (at least that’s what I get).
Wow, these look really yummy!! xox
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Sara Osorio.
Deliciously naughty!!!!
These look so good Starr! Happy New Year to you
Thanks Angela! And a Happy New Year to you too!
These look amazing! I’ve never used coconut sugar, but I’ve seen a lot of recipes recently that use it. I’ll have to try and get my hands on some!
Thanks Liz
I don’t use coconut sugar often, because it’s expensive, but I’ve been really happy with the results when ever I do. It has a rich caramelly kind of flavour… I’m sure that you’ll love it!
These bars look ridiculously addictive
Happy New Year
Choc Chip Uru
mmm, they were. I think it’s because they were just the right sweet. Not so sweet that you couldn’t have another… and another… and another
Yum!
Delicious! I love how all your recipes are so simple.
I really want to make banana bread soon because I made a bunch for gifts this year but didn’t really eat any myself.
Great gift idea!.. but you know, you always have to save some for the baker! Baker’s benefits!… I’ve got a bunch of bananas that I have to use up fast, so maybe banana bread is in my future too
These look delicious! I always love baking with items that I regularly have on hand. I’m glad I could make these without having to visit the store first!
Thanks!… I’m with you, I hate running to the store to find some ingredient for a recipe. It ruins my baking groove.
Very delicious looking!
Thank you, Sarah
It is always sad to put the decorations away
I love that there’s no crap in these bars; they’re all really wholesome ingredients. Plus, it looks like they yield some delicious results!
Very delicious, guilt-free, results
Reblogged this on Seagoat Carter.
These are so amazingly good…thank you for sharing!