Kassi beware....cooked fruit ahead...the delicious kind coated in maple syrup...but if that's just not your thing, you should probably just stop reading now. :)
But as for me?? Bring it on!
..and cooked between layers of hearty oats and almonds??
Love you Kass... even if you don't love cooked fruit.
Healthy Berry Streusel Bars
Recipe adapted from: Sally's Baking Addiction
2 Tbsp. corn starch
2 Tbsp. warm water
2 1/2 c. mixed frozen berries
2/3 c. pure maple syrup, divided
1 1/4 c. quick oats
1 c. rolled oats
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. natural almond butter
1/4 c. melted coconut oil
1 egg
1/4 c. slivered almonds
Directions: Preheat the oven to 325 F degrees. Line an 8x8 baking pan with foil allowing for some overhanging on each side for easy removal. Set aside.
In a small bowl mix together the corn starch and warm water until dissolved. In a pot over medium-high heat add berries and 1/3 cup of the syrup, stirring often. Once the mixture has come to a boil remove from heat and add the corn starch water and stir to combine. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine quick oats, rolled oats, cinnamon, almond butter, remaining 1/3 cup of syrup, coconut oil, and egg to make the crust. Mix with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are well incorporated. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.
Add the remaining oat mixture to your prepared baking pan. Press batter into the pan with a rubber spatula until flat and even. Bake for 10 minutes. (The crust will still look wet when you take it out.)
While the crust is baking, in a small pan over medium heat add almonds and stir constantly until evenly toasted. Add the toasted almonds to reserved oat mixture.
Once the crust has baked for 10 minutes, remove it from the oven and carefully spread the berry filling over the top. Finally sprinkle the remaining oat/almond mixture on top. Bake for another 18-20 minutes.
Allow bars to cool. Using the foil remove from the pan, cut into squares, and serve.
