APPLE PEANUT BUTTER SNACK BARS

APPLE PEANUT BUTTER SNACK BARS image

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 medium apples, peeled and chopped (or also sub 1/2-3/4 cup applesauce)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cup peanut butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup honey

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, salt and baking powder and mix. To soften apples, mix them with 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or pan roast on medium heat for 10 minutes. Once apples are soft, mash them with a fork making sure to leave some large chunks. Add apples into oat mix. Melt peanut butter and stir vanilla into peanut butter. Add peanut butter to apples and oats. Mix with wooden spoon until all ingredients are moistened. You can even work the dough with your hands to get it all together. Add honey one tablespoon at a time, mixing until everything is combined. Mix with you hands before adding additional honey, but add it one tablespoon at a time if needed. You want the dough to be sticky, but not too wet. Spray a springform pan or pie plate with non-stick spray and pour in oat dough. Spread it evenly in the pan and give the top a quick spray with non-stick spray - it will help hold it together. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before cutting. Slice into wedges and top with more melted peanut butter.