Description
Delicious and wholesome Oatmeal Fudge Bars made with rolled oats, whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners, and rich dark chocolate chips. These bars are easy to prepare, baked to perfection, and perfect for a healthy snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir thoroughly to blend all dry ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and peanut butter until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
- Layer Batter: Spread half of the oatmeal batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating the bottom layer for the bars.
- Add Chocolate Layer: Sprinkle the dark chocolate chips evenly over the first layer of batter. Then gently spread the remaining batter over the chocolate chips to cover them fully.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is set and lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars for serving.
Notes
- You can substitute whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour if preferred.
- Use any nut butter of your choice instead of peanut butter for variety.
- For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before cutting to maintain shape.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
