Monday, August 25, 2014

Applesauce Oatmeal Bars (Secret Recipe Club)


Yay, Secret Recipe Club time! This month I was assigned A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures by Christie and I spent many hours perusing her blog trying to narrow down what to make. Christie pretty much grew up in the kitchen and describes it as her zen place. Her recipes are fun and creative with a healthy twist, which suits me perfectly!

I was in the mood for something sweet this month, and luckily Christie's blog didn't disappoint. She has tons of amazing recipes including some seriously impressive macarons with classic flavour combinations like Pistachio and Salted Caramel as well as some a little more out there. Anyone for a Pepperoni Pizza Macaron?!

In the end I was really tempted by her Cranberry Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies (and I have bookmarked them to try later), but I went with the Applesauce Oatmeal Bars. I love a good apple slice and have made something similar before using apple pieces. This version intrigued me because it used pureed apples instead and even better, I had everything on hand to make it immediately.

I made a few small changes like making my own apple sauce, replacing the butter with coconut oil to make it dairy free and using dextrose and rice malt syrup to lower the fructose content.

And how did they taste? Delicious! Like all the best bits of an apple crumble but in bar form.They disappeared in record time, and in fact I was lucky to get a photo! My boys loved it for afternoon tea and then breakfast the next morning, but it would actually work beautifully as a dessert, served warm with lots of custard.

Applesauce Oatmeal Bars
Slightly adapted from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures

3 cups apple puree (see note)
2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups wholemeal plain flour
170 g liquid coconut oil
1/2 cup dextrose
2 tbs rice malt syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Line the base and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with baking paper and set aside.

Combine oats, flour, rice malt syrup, vanilla extract, spices, bicarb soda, salt and butter. Use a fork to combine the mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. It will appear quite dry but it should clump together when sqeezed.

Press 2/3 of the mix unto the bottom of the prepared tray. Spread on the apple puree then sprinkle the walnuts and top with the remaining 1/3 oat mixture.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before carefully lifting out of the tin using the baking paper. It will be easier to slice when completely cool.

* Note - Christie used bought apple sauce in her recipe and includes instructions for draining it. I made my own apple puree by peeling, coring and slicing 6 large granny smith apples, and steaming them until tender. Then puree in a blender or food processor until smooth and allow to cool before using.


Secret Recipe Club

16 comments:

  1. How delicious that looks!!! I'm also impressed that you were able to get the graphic to link to the new SRC page.

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  2. These look delicious - I'm loving the idea of apple crumble in a bar, and I would happily eat one or two of these for breakfast.

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  3. I've been wanting to bake with applesauce! Great pick.

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  4. They look amazing, I wish I had one of these babies right now to start my Monday...

    Happy Reveal Day!

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  5. I always end up with a bunch of applesauce in the house (my son and I don't eat it, but daughter and hubby do) and it never GETS eaten, so I never know what to do with it. I have put it in recipes before and it's great, but this one looks fantastic. Gotta try it soon! Happy Reveal Day!

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  6. Loving this! Looks super delicious. :) Visiting from Group A

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  7. Those look SOOO good! I would absolutely eat this up - definitely saving this one. :)

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  8. It looks delicious, and I love how you used homemade applesauce, the store bought stuff can't compare. I can't wait till apple season picks up in my area, so I can start cooking some in my crockpot.

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  9. I love that you made your own applesauce~

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  10. Sounds like the perfect way to start each morning! Great pick this month :)

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  11. Yum!! I'm already ready for fall so I love that you're baking with apples! Although I won't lie... pepperoni pizza macarons would have been VERY interesting to see! ;) Great pick!

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  12. I am secretly super excited about Fall. All things apple and pumpkin. This cake is a great way to start off the season. Happy Reveal Day!

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  13. Ah yes! A delicious looking apple recipe....just in time for Fall :-) Wonderful pick for SRC this month! :-)

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  14. Yum! This looks like a perfect recipe to use up some of the apples that are now coming into season! Great SRC choice!

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  15. Do I see a sort of streusel-y thing on top? I am sooo in!

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Thanks for reading! Questions or comments? I would love to hear from you ...

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