Monday, April 1, 2013

Snacking? We're Pros.


Gabe works hard, like eight and a half hours a day, then goes to school full-time. So I decided to be a Suzy-homemaker and make something that will give him the little boosts he needs to work on his homework, or to eat in the car on his way to work. I searched high and low for recipes that included the ingredients I had on hand, or could pick up from the local Fred Meyer, and finally I came up with this healthy treat.
Update: These were a huge hit, and Gabe requested I make more. Yay!
Healthy Oats Bar:
Ingredients:

  • 1/2 c. melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 c. brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 c. flour
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 3/4 c. dried cranberries
  • 3/4 c. peanuts (or nuts of choice)
  • 3/4 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 c. peanut butter
  • 1/2 c. white chocolate chips
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease a 9x13 pan, I used Grapeseed oil, but any kind will work.
  3. In a bowl, microwave butter till thoroughly melted. Then add the egg, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Mix on low-medium speed.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon.
  5. Combine flour mixture with butter mixture, then add dried cranberries, peanuts, white chocolate chips, and oats, mix on low-medium until thoroughly combined.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, the top should dry, and the edges slightly pull away from the sides of the pan. Wait until it cooled to cut into.