Whole Wheat Blackberry Oat Bars

By Jamie Vespa

Chewy oat bars made with whole grain goodness and a delicious layer of sweet blackberry jam. These bars are high in fiber and make for the ultimate nutritious, delicious treat.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces blackberries
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or sugar free syrup)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar (sub for Truvia brown sugar baking blend or regular brown sugar)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (melted and cooled)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly coat with non-stick cooking spray.

2. 2

   Combine blackberries, syrup and vanilla extract in a small pot. Cook over medium heat for ~15 minutes, mashing the blackberries as they cook to help them break down. If the mixture begins to boil, lower heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. The mixture should thicken up and start to resemble a jam.

3. 3

   In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg and coconut sugar for 1-2 minutes. Add coconut oil and vanilla extract and beat again until combined.

4. 4

   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon. Pour into wet ingredients and mix until combined.

5. 5

   Place two thirds of the batter into prepared pan, spreading to the edges and pressing down firmly. Pour blackberry mixture over dough and break remaining oatmeal batter into pieces over fruit.

6. 6

   Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 1 hour before slicing into 9 bars. Enjoy!