Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Several years ago, we were visiting Monterey and we popped into a vegan cafe. I wasn't experienced with egg-free baking at that time so I was excited to get something special for Son #2. Unfortunately, his muffin was dry and tasted awful. I've never eaten cardboard but that muffin was exactly what I imagined cardboard would taste like. :(

Since then, I've learned how to bake egg-free goodies and the treats turn out pretty tasty. :) I also found The Food Allergy Mama a few months ago and she posts recipes for dairy, egg and nut-free goodies. Son #2 can have dairy so I use milk and/or butter but the dairy-free versions are great when I bake for my vegan friends.

I was in the mood for chocolate and I needed something rich and satisfying. These oatmeal fudge bars were fudgey and fantastic! This was exactly what I needed for my chocolate fix. It was a hit with the fam and easy to make. I'll definitely make this again when the wicked chocolate craving comes back in full force.

The cooling period is the hardest part of baking.

Fudge-ilicious!

SO delicious!

Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Yield: 16 squares from 8x8" dish

Ingredients:

oatmeal layer:

• 1/2 c shortening
• 1 c brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 c flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt (I omitted)
• 2 c quick cook oats

fudge layer:

• 1/2 c flour
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 1/2 c chocolate chips
• 4 tbs butter
• 1 tbs water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray 8x8" dish with baking spray. Set aside.
2. Make oatmeal layer. In mixer bowl with paddle attachment, mix shortening and sugar till light and fluffy.
3. Add applesauce and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Add flour and baking soda to shortening mixture. Combine thoroughly.
5. Stir in oats.
6. Set aside 1 c oatmeal mixture for topping.
7. Spread remaining oatmeal mixture into prepared baking dish. Spread well and pat down.
8. Make fudge layer. In microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter in 30 second increments till chocolate has melted. Stir well before microwaving for another 30 seconds. 
9. Add water and stir till combined.
10. Add flour and sugar to chocolate and stir till thoroughly combined. 
11. Spread fudge layer over oatmeal layer.
12. Spread remaining oatmeal mixture over fudge layer.
13. Bake 20-25 mins or till lightly browned.
14. Cool completely before cutting into squares. ENJOY!

Source: The Food Allergy Mama

Banana Bars

My Costco bananas were really ripe and ready to become a baked good of some sort. My boys asked for banana bread but I wanted to try something different. I found a recipe for banana oat bars. It's a healthy treat and the boys especially loved this because of the sweet chocolate chips. Delicious!

Bananalicious!

Healthy? Yeah, I think so!

Sweet stuff...because everybody needs a little chocolate in their diet. :)

Banana Bars

Yield: 8x8", 16 squares

Ingredients:

• 3 med-large ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 c unsweetened apple sauce
• 2 c quick oats
• 1/3 c flour
• 1/3 c flax seeds
• 1/2 tbs cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 c chocolate chips
• 1/2 c dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In large bowl, combine bananas, vanilla and apple sauce.
3. In another bowl, mix oats, flour, flax seeds, cinnamon, salt and baking powder until combined well.
4. Add to banana mixture and mix well. Gently fold in chocolate and cranberries.
5. Press mixture into prepared 8x8" dish.
6. Bake for 30 mins. Let cool 5-10 mins then cut into 12 bars.

Source: Adapted from steph chows.

Granola Bars

One of my Christmas gifts from my hubby's uncle (thank you, ARK!) was a cookbook put together by Acres of Love, an organization that helps HIV/AIDS inflicted children in South Africa. The cookbook is compiled of "secret family recipes" from groups and individuals that support Acres of Love. One hundred percent of the proceeds from sales of their cookbooks benefit rescued children at Acres of Love in South Africa. For more info and/or to purchase a cookbook, click here. :)

OK...WOW! Let me tell you...the first recipe I tried from the cookbook was unbelievably delicious. I added a few extra ingredients and we were all very pleased with the results. GOOD STUFF!!! 

Cut the bars and cool completely before serving.

Oh, the flavors...a tasty treat, indeed! 

Safari Sisters' Crunchies

Ingredients:

• 2 c oats
• 1 c flour
• 1 c shredded coconut (I toasted it)
• 1/2 c dried cranberries
• 1/2 c chocolate chips
• 1/2 c sunflower seeds
• 3/4 c mini marshmallows 
• 1/2 c brown sugar (original recipe: 1 c granulated sugar)
• 1 1/2 sticks butter (original recipe: 2 sticks butter)
• 1 tbs Karo syrup
• 1 tsp baking soda

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In stand mixer bowl, add oats, flour, coconut, cranberries, choc. chips, sunflower seeds, mini marshmallows and brown sugar. Mix well. The original recipe was for coconut and cranberries only, however, I wanted more flavors and textures so I added choc. chips, sunflower seeds and marshmallows.
3. In separate bowl, melt butter and add Karo syrup. Stir in baking soda.
4. Add butter mixture to flour mixture and mix well.  
5. Spray 9x13" baking dish with oil. Press into prepared dish and bake for 15 mins or until golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and cut into squares/rectangles while still hot. Cool completely for a crunchy treat.
7. Store in airtight container.

Source: Adapted from Treasures of Love: Secret Recipes and Gifts from the Heart Cookbook, by Acres of Love | Safari Sisters

Notes: Next time (and, yes, there will be a next time!), I'll add the following:

1/4 c flaxseed, ground

1/4 c wheat germ

1/2 c puffed rice cereal (Rice Krispie cereal)