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Oatmeal Apricot Bars


Spring is creeping in slowly and there is no better time of the year to get up early and take a jog or ride your bike. The mornings are getting warmer and the sun is rising earlier so there’s no use fighting that one ray that peeks through your blinds every morning and straight into your eye. Get out and enjoy the sun! To keep up your energy, you’ll need a healthy, nutrient-packed breakfast on-the-go. I’ve got just the ticket! Heavily inspired by my daily breakfast, Peanut Butter & Jelly Oatmeal, here’s a great way to help keep you moving!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup brown sugar, or to taste
3/4t cinnamon
1/4t baking soda
1/8t salt
4T butter, softened (I used Smart Balance)
2T creamy natural peanut butter
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cups apricot jelly (Trader Joe’s brand)

Update: I’ve removed the 1/2 cup egg substitute (or 2 eggs) from the recipe, I think they contribute to a dryness and “yempt” texture. So this recipe is technically untested, please let me know if you try it and how it comes out or if you have any recommendations/suggestions! Thanks!

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl. Whisk in the peanut butter, applesauce and egg. Mix the remaining ingredients (oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon) in a medium bowl. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix until well combined.

2. Spray an 8×8 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Press about 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom, forming an even layer and spread a layer of jelly on top. Crumble remaining oat mixture on top and press down lightly.

3. Bake in oven for 25 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Let cool completely and cut into 9 bars.

Additional Info:

Strawberry usually trumps every other flavor of jelly for me, but in this case, the apricot was hands down the better of the two. The strawberry type looks a little better in the pictures because of the contrast but don’t be fooled!