Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars

Wow!  It has been a while since I last posted anything.  I have lots of pictures taken, but I haven't taken the time to sit down and get anything written out.  Update:  I said that I was going to try a mixed berry filling also.  I made it the other day, and the kids gave it rave reviews also.  Check out the recipe for that as well!

My kids love Apple Cinnamon Nutrigrain Bars.  Recently, I have been searching for a homemade substitute to those bars that isn't super labor-intensive and that doesn't involve a ton of butter.  Also, I wanted one that wasn't too crumbly.  By combining two recipes, I think I have come up with just the ticket!  When my kids each had one for snack, they scarfed them down and requested seconds!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars

Filling:  (From Loving life, one meal at a time)

2 apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1 tablespoon of butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in about 2 tablespoons cold water

Melt butter in a saucepan and add your apples.  Once they start to soften, add brown sugar and spices and cook until the apples are soft.  Add cornstarch that has been dissolved in water and stir until thick.  Place ingredients in blender and process until smooth.  (Take care when blending something hot!)  Put filling in the freezer to cool while you prepare the crust.

For mixed berry filling:

2 cups frozen mixed berries (I'm sure just strawberries, blueberries, or even peaches would be delicious, too!)
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water.

Melt butter in a saucepan and add your berries.  Once they start to soften, add sugar and cook until they start to heat up.  Add cornstarch that has been dissolved in water and stir until thick.  Place ingredients in blender and process until smooth.  (Take care when blending something hot!)  If you prefer to have a seedless filling, press the mixture through a fine sieve strainer.  (This process took a bit of time, but my kids liked the smooth filling that resulted.)  Put filling in the freezer to cool while you prepare the crust.

Crust:  (Slightly adapted from Simply Colorado Too)

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (quick cooking oats would work also)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup canola oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine the dry ingredients and stir until well blended.  Add buttermilk and oil and stir until combined.  Press about 3/4 of the mixture into a 9 by 13 pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Spread filling over the top (mine was still fairly warm, but it did not seem to affect the end result.)  Sprinkle with remaining oat mixture.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until the edges pull from the sides of the pan.  Let stand until cool and then cut into bars.  If you don't plan on eating these within a day, store in the refrigerator to keep them from getting soggy.

If you don't want to take the time to make the filling, these bars are terrific with any jam or preserves--just use about 10 ounces of your favorite flavor.  I intend to try making a mixed berry filling with some frozen berries that are in my freezer.  I'll let you know how it goes!  Enjoy!