I'm really craving peanuts and chocolate lately, so this is the result of those hankerings. It's moist and crumbly, not as dense as you might think for having oats.
You certainly don't have to ice or glaze these bars. My peanut butter cravings got the best of me, though, and I ended up making a very simple topping: peanut butter, almond milk and powdered sugar. Yum!
The Recipe
makes about 12 medium-sized bars1 1/4 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup agave syrup
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup oil (I used canola)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 heaping tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease and flour an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch pan.
Whisk together the flour, oats, flax, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the agave, applesauce, oil, egg, vanilla and peanut butter. Whisk these together in the well and then combine with the dry ingredients. Stir in the peanuts and chocolate chips.
Bake for about 35 minutes (depending on pan size). Do not overcook. They will be lightly browned on the top when done. Allow to cool before cutting. You can eat these as is, or frost with some melted chocolate chips (just sprinkle some on while it's cooling and spread), or a simple peanut butter icing.
