Our Five Ring Circus: Strawberry Oat Bars {Guest Post from Recipe for a Sweet Life}

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Strawberry Oat Bars {Guest Post from Recipe for a Sweet Life}

I am so thrilled to have Keala from Recipe for a Sweet Life on the blog today! Keala will be sharing her delicious recipe for Strawberry Oat Bars.






Meet Keala!



Hi! My name is Keala. I am a former Kindergarten teacher turned stay-at-home mom. I am married to my college sweetheart, and in my opinion the most amazing man around. We have two beautiful little boys; Koa is 3 and Kai is one. They are wonderful, amazing, fun, annoying, inspiring, and exhausting. Yet, I wouldn't have it any other way. I blog as way to document the crazy, joy filled days with these two kids of mine, and share some of my favorite recipes and activities I do along the way. 

STRAWBERRY OAT BARS

School is back in session. Where did summer go?! It's time to think about backpacks, lunches, homework, and of course after school snacks! I mean come on, those kiddos need something to munch on while they work on homework at the kitchen table after school. My youngest starts preschool this week. Even though it's only a 3 hour program, I know he is going to come home and the first question out of his mouth will be ,"Can I have a snack?" These Strawberry Oat Bars are a perfect after school snack, before school breakfast, or even a treat for the lunchbox.


I don't know about you and yours but, my kids LOVE strawberries. So while at Costco the other day I grabbed a big container of them, at the begging of my 3 year old. (Who also begged for blueberries and ate handfuls straight out of the container while we shopped.) They love strawberries fresh and whole of course.  But once in a while we need something a little different.

These Strawberry Oat bars are delicious! Not too sweet, light, and the perfect snack. They don't have too much sugar, most of the sweetness comes from the fresh strawberries, and use whole wheat flour. I dare say I might call these "heathy-ish." They would honestly be delicious as a breakfast bar too without the drizzle. (Or go ahead and drizzle and eat for breakfast, I would/did.) They would also be amazing with a scoop of strawberry or vanilla ice cream...Not that I'd know of course...I'm just guessing...maybe.

It's a super easy recipe to double too, so go ahead and make bunch! They will go fast!

You can totally make these with all white flour and frozen strawberries if that's what you have. I have and they are still delicious!



{Recipe adapted from http://www.wellplated.com/strawberry-oatmeal-bars/}

Ingredients:
 
1 cup old fashioned oats
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
2-3 cups diced strawberries

Instructions:
 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line an 8x8 square pan with parchment paper, leaving a little hanging over 2 sides, so you can grab them later.
 
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, and brown sugar. 
 
Pour in the melted butter and stir until clumps form and it is crumbly. Press half of this mixture into an even layer in the bottom of your prepared pan. Set the other half of the crumbs mixture to the side.
Place half of the strawberries in an even layer over the crust. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the strawberries, then drizzle on the lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Place the remaining strawberries on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar.
Sprinkle the remaining half of the crumb mixture over the top of the strawberries. Some strawberries will show through. That's ok. 
 
Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes or until the crumb topping is getting golden and smells amazing. 
Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely before cutting or you will have a crumbly mess. (You can put it in the fridge to speed it up.)
 
If you are going to use a glaze, use this cooling time to prepare it. In a small bowl whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon milk. If you want it thinner, add more milk a little at a time until you get your desired consistency. 
 
Once the bars are cooled, drizzle with the vanilla glaze and cut into squares. 
 
 

These Strawberry Oat Bars look delicious, Keala! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe today! 

To see more from Keala you can visit her blog or find her on Instagram!

Have a great weekend!

2 comments:

  1. These look amazing!! I've never tried to make anything like that before, but now I'm intrigued. It sounds easy!

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