Summer is here and summer is fast approaching! I love this time of year as it brings lots of outdoor time for my gang and with that lots of physical activities. This means lots of bodies running through the house and needing nourishment fast! These little gems are really the bomb as they are not only a doddle to whip up but they are wholesome and healthy enough to have everyday! They are a staple in my house and can be made a head and stored in the freezer. The bars make a great breakfast on the go, lunchtime treat, after sports snack, or late night munch attack! They contain oats with oodles of fiber and protein plus a brain and energy feeding fat coconut oil. This snack satisfies even the pickiest of taste buds and keeps your hunger at bay for hours! These bars are sweetened with coconut sugar which in a blind teen tasting test with 20 teens completely out tasted other sugars including maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, and agave. Coconut sugar not only beats every other sugar on taste but also on the number of nutrients and vital amino acids that it contains. Its also low glycemic so it won’t make you or your kids go bonkers! This sugar really is too good to believe and once you use it you will never think of using ordinary sugar again. A little goes a long way so in converting your old recipes cut the sugar down by 2/3 in most recipes and at least 1/2 if you like things on the sweeter side. The brand i like the best is Big Tree and they make a vanilla coconut sugar with ground vanilla beans in it that is delicious in most recipes and lovely in coffee too! It has a very caramely taste that wows your taste buds at many different levels.
Oaty Bars
Makes about 9 bars
1/4 cup (2oz/55g) extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup (1.25 oz/35g) coconut sugar
1 3/4 cups (7oz/200g) old fashioned oats or porridge oats
1/4 cup (1/2 a jar) St Dalfour all fruit jam or other all fruit jam (raspberry is our fave)
Add oats and sugar to blender and blend on low until ground fairly finely. Add coconut oil and blend until mixture comes together. Press 2/3 of the mixture firmly in the bottom of a 8×8 inch glass baking pan. Spread carefully the jam over the top and sprinkle the remaining oat clumps over. Bake on the middle rack of the oven at 350F (180C) for 22-25 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and cool in the fridge or freezer until firm. Cut into squares when completely cool. Can be served straight from the freezer.
