Monday, March 8, 2010

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

As I am on the mission of eating healthier, making healthier meals for my family, I am learning some things as I go along. First, I think that you have to change your mind set before you try something. Normally, I would have my mind set for the sweetest, richest taste when I would eat something sweet. Not the case when you are trying to make things healthier. Not that it is bad, because these bars are actually very tasty, it is just different. Secondly, the textures are different. I have been using whole wheat pasta for my meals, and it although it tastes fine, the hubby doesn't like the texture. Again, I think that you have to just set your mind that it will be different.

Megan posted about these bars last week and they were on the line of healthiness that I wanted, but also was a tried and true recipe that had a great review. Loving to bake, I need to be able to still be in my kitchen baking up treat for my family, but need to incorporate the health factor. These were just the treat! Although, I did sub a few of the ingredients to help keep the blood sugar down...they were just as tasty!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Adapted from Megan's Cookin

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons skim milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups of old-fashioned oats
1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, honey, brown sugar, egg whites, milk, vanilla and salt.

Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved.

In a separate bowl, combine old-fashioned oats, flour, baking soda, and chocolate chips. Stir until just combined. Add to liquid mixture. Transfer to a lightly greased 13×9 inch baking pan.

Bake 15-20 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool until firm. Cut into squares and store tightly covered.

13 comments:

Kat said...

These look awesome. I love oatmeal and chocolate combos.

Megan said...

I LOVE that you used applesauce and cut back on the fat! Your bars look great. I'll have to try that too. I found another recipe we'll have to try!

tinyskillet said...

They look wonderful! Certainly not what I would think of as healthy, I can't wait to try them, they are right up my ally. (I trust Megan's tried and true recipes too)

I always use less sugar than a recipe calls for. I don't like things too sweet. I think you were spot on on what your mindset is. I used to love any sort of sweets when I was a kid, then in high school gave up most of them. Now when I eat sweets they are usually way too sweet. So I can get away with just a bite, your recipe sounds perfect!

Bethie said...

April, I checked my mail box, but there wasn't one of these bars in there. OMGOSH! They are so decadent looking. You know they are now on my "to do" list. You are on the right track.

Heather Baird said...

Wow, my hubby would love these. He loves oats and chocolate together. I do too, but there's not much I don't like. :)

Barbara Bakes said...

I'm sure the applesauce made them super moist and tasty!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I liked this when I saw it over at Megan's and I like it here! :) Because chocolate's not my thing I think I'm going to add some butterscotch, toffee, or even maybe some cinnamon chips.
~ingrid

Tiffany said...

Ummm, it's chocolate need I say more.

Tiffany
http://liferequiresmorechocolate.blogspot.com/

Sweet Treats by Dani said...

these look great! i am gonna try them with my after-school baking group this month :) thanks for sharing!!!!

The Blonde Duck said...

I really like oatmeal desserts. I have a huge problem with a love of rich desserts--like SUPER RICH--I love them, but they kill my stomach. Oatmeal desserts give me the sweet taste without the pain! I'll try these with PB chips.

cookies and cups said...

Found you through Ingrid (at 3 B's) and these look delicious!

Valerie said...

They look really good! You can't tell they are healthier than normal ones just by looking. I'll put this on my list of recipes to try.

Unknown said...

Oh these look amazing!!! I love oatmeal + chocolate, but only have tried them in cookies!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

As I am on the mission of eating healthier, making healthier meals for my family, I am learning some things as I go along. First, I think that you have to change your mind set before you try something. Normally, I would have my mind set for the sweetest, richest taste when I would eat something sweet. Not the case when you are trying to make things healthier. Not that it is bad, because these bars are actually very tasty, it is just different. Secondly, the textures are different. I have been using whole wheat pasta for my meals, and it although it tastes fine, the hubby doesn't like the texture. Again, I think that you have to just set your mind that it will be different.

Megan posted about these bars last week and they were on the line of healthiness that I wanted, but also was a tried and true recipe that had a great review. Loving to bake, I need to be able to still be in my kitchen baking up treat for my family, but need to incorporate the health factor. These were just the treat! Although, I did sub a few of the ingredients to help keep the blood sugar down...they were just as tasty!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Adapted from Megan's Cookin

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons skim milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups of old-fashioned oats
1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the applesauce, honey, brown sugar, egg whites, milk, vanilla and salt.

Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved.

In a separate bowl, combine old-fashioned oats, flour, baking soda, and chocolate chips. Stir until just combined. Add to liquid mixture. Transfer to a lightly greased 13×9 inch baking pan.

Bake 15-20 minutes until golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool until firm. Cut into squares and store tightly covered.

13 comments:

Kat said...

These look awesome. I love oatmeal and chocolate combos.

Megan said...

I LOVE that you used applesauce and cut back on the fat! Your bars look great. I'll have to try that too. I found another recipe we'll have to try!

tinyskillet said...

They look wonderful! Certainly not what I would think of as healthy, I can't wait to try them, they are right up my ally. (I trust Megan's tried and true recipes too)

I always use less sugar than a recipe calls for. I don't like things too sweet. I think you were spot on on what your mindset is. I used to love any sort of sweets when I was a kid, then in high school gave up most of them. Now when I eat sweets they are usually way too sweet. So I can get away with just a bite, your recipe sounds perfect!

Bethie said...

April, I checked my mail box, but there wasn't one of these bars in there. OMGOSH! They are so decadent looking. You know they are now on my "to do" list. You are on the right track.

Heather Baird said...

Wow, my hubby would love these. He loves oats and chocolate together. I do too, but there's not much I don't like. :)

Barbara Bakes said...

I'm sure the applesauce made them super moist and tasty!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I liked this when I saw it over at Megan's and I like it here! :) Because chocolate's not my thing I think I'm going to add some butterscotch, toffee, or even maybe some cinnamon chips.
~ingrid

Tiffany said...

Ummm, it's chocolate need I say more.

Tiffany
http://liferequiresmorechocolate.blogspot.com/

Sweet Treats by Dani said...

these look great! i am gonna try them with my after-school baking group this month :) thanks for sharing!!!!

The Blonde Duck said...

I really like oatmeal desserts. I have a huge problem with a love of rich desserts--like SUPER RICH--I love them, but they kill my stomach. Oatmeal desserts give me the sweet taste without the pain! I'll try these with PB chips.

cookies and cups said...

Found you through Ingrid (at 3 B's) and these look delicious!

Valerie said...

They look really good! You can't tell they are healthier than normal ones just by looking. I'll put this on my list of recipes to try.

Unknown said...

Oh these look amazing!!! I love oatmeal + chocolate, but only have tried them in cookies!