Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips and Cranberries
Try this Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips and Cranberries recipe
Try this Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips and Cranberries recipe
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 1/4 cups bob’s red mill gluten free rolled oats
- 1/2 cup bob’s red mill gluten free oat flour*
- 1 1/4 teaspoonsâ baking powder (i recommendâ aluminum free
- 3/4 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin filling)
- 1 cup milk of choice (skim almond, soy, etc.)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (i like grade b)
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter almond butter, or other nut butter of choice
- 1/2 cup desired mix-ins: chopped nuts dried cranberries, chocolate chips, diced apricots, coconut (i used 1/4 cup cranberries and 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips)
- Carbohydrate 1.239126875 g
- Cholesterol 26.4375 mg
- Fat 2.422601875 g
- Fiber 0.497224992036819 g
- Protein 1.69812625 g
- Saturated Fat 0.575605625 g
- Serving Size 1 1 large or 16 small bars (1 8x8-inch pan) (11g)
- Sodium 47.2298 mg
- Sugar 0.741901882963181 g
- Trans Fat 0.201737375 g
- Calories 31 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8x8-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, milk, egg, maple syrup, and peanut butter until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients all at once to the dry ingredients, then gently stir by hand, just until combined.
- Fold in any desired mix-ins.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
- Bake until golden and set on top, dry at the edges, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan completely, then slice into bars.
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars: A Busy Mom's Delight
Life as a working mom is a whirlwind. Between school drop-offs, demanding meetings, grocery shopping, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, finding time for anything beyond the bare essentials feels like a Herculean task. And let's not even talk about cooking! Weeknights often consist of quick, convenient (and sometimes less-than-healthy) meals. But even amidst the chaos, I believe we deserve a little treat now and then – something delicious, satisfying, and, importantly, easy to make. That's where these Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars come in.
These bars are my go-to solution for a sweet craving. They're packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, pumpkin, and peanut butter, giving them a satisfying nutritional boost that keeps me feeling full and energized throughout the day. Plus, they're incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins; chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or even dark chocolate chips add a delightful twist. The best part? They're incredibly easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight. The entire process, from mixing to baking, takes less than an hour, leaving me plenty of time to attend to the other things vying for my attention.
I discovered this recipe during a particularly hectic period when I was juggling a major project at work and simultaneously managing a family event. The need for a simple, healthy dessert that didn't involve hours in the kitchen was paramount. These bars provided the perfect answer. The combination of the warm spices in the pumpkin and the creamy peanut butter creates a flavor profile that's both comforting and addictive. It's a delicious way to satisfy a sweet tooth without compromising on health or time. The recipe is so simple, even my kids can help with measuring and mixing – turning a simple baking session into a fun family activity.
Beyond the Recipe: A Reflection on Busy Lives
This recipe isn't just about baking; it's a metaphor for managing life's complexities. Just as these bars require a balance of wet and dry ingredients, so does our daily life need a balance of work, family, and self-care. Finding that balance can be challenging, but creating time for small pleasures, like baking these delicious bars, can significantly improve our well-being. It's about creating moments of calm and joy amidst the chaos, and reminding ourselves that even in the midst of a busy schedule, we deserve to indulge in something delightful and nourishing.
The aroma of these bars baking fills my kitchen with a warm, inviting scent, and that alone is enough to lift my spirits. The simple act of creating something delicious, something that nourishes my family and myself, is a source of immense satisfaction. These aren't just oatmeal bars; they are a symbol of resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of finding joy in the everyday.
So, whether you're a busy mom like myself, a career woman striving for balance, or simply someone looking for a quick and easy treat, give these Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars a try. They're a guaranteed winner, guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a warm feeling to your heart, a small slice of happiness amidst the busy life we all navigate.
Tips and Variations:
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water).
- Experiment with different nut butters: almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work wonderfully.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the bars before baking for a delightful salty-sweet contrast.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
