RECIPE: Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

My friend Renee gave me this recipe (I usually call them "Renee's Oatmeal Breakfast Bars"), and they are SO GOOD. They have a little of everything--sweet, salty, chewy, soft. And who doesn't love a little chocolate for breakfast? ;) They can definitely be eaten as a dessert or snack, too.

Oats, nuts, raisins, and chocolate are a perfect combination!

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Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Ingredients:

1/4 cup plain yogurt (I've substituted sour cream before, and it worked well)
1/3 cup coconut oil
2 Tbsp. honey
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup raisins or other dried fruit
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, not included in nutrition info)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 F. In a large mixing bowl, beat coconut oil, yogurt, honey, and sugar until creamy. Add applesauce, eggs, and vanilla and beat well.

In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, flax seed, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

Add the dry ingredients to creamed mixture, stirring to combine. Fold in walnuts, raisins, and chocolate chips.

Prepare a 9x13 pan with cooking spray or oil. Spread batter in pan and bake 20-25 minutes until lightly browned (I like to under-bake them just a touch, so they stay a little gooey). Let them cool completely and then cut into bars. Store in refrigerator or freezer.