Thursday, September 9, 2010

Oatmeal Peanut Butter (Flour!) Chocolate Chip Bars

Hi guys! How are you doing? After all the traveling I did last week, it has felt SO good to get back in the kitchen to bake & cook!  I got my bake on last night for sure. I made vegan pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for wonderful friends of mine:

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I also finally experimented with my Trader Joe’s Peanut flour that my MIL sent me:

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Since I always love mixing up my bar recipes, I decided to test this flour out first in an Oatmeal Peanut Butter (flour) Chocolate Chip Bar:

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Ingredients:

  • 2  1/4 cups old fashion rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1/2 cup Peanut Flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seeds (raw)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or applesauce- unsweetened)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 eggs or egg substitute

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together dry ingredients (first six). Add in wet ingredients and stir until combined. Spray pan (I used a Pyrex dish), press mixture into bottom of pan. Bake for 28-30 minutes. Let the bars cool completely, cut & serve.

These taste like those no bake peanut butter/chocolate cookies! So yum.

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Also of note, we had our first spaghetti squash of the “fall” last night! Josh had his topped with homemade turkey meatballs, cheese and marinara. I had mine topped with cheese, marinara and black beans. YUM!

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And for your workout Wednesday (Thursday), here is my plan for the week:

  • Monday: Ran 6 miles outside
  • Tuesday:  Taught Body Attack
  • Wednesday:  Ran 6 miles outside
  • Thursday: Teach 45 minute Body Step & 45 minute Body Pump
  • Friday:  Off
  • Saturday:  Teach Body Step
  • Sunday:  Off

How are your workouts coming?? And what is your favorite kind of squash? I love them all…but I think Acorn is my favorite.

48 comments:

Kerr said...

I am going to make those granola bars. yum!

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

I am dying to try peanut flour! I hope my TJs has some this weekend.

Rene said...

Acorn squash is my favorite especially how my mom makes it! She cuts it in half, puts it in an oven with some butter, brown sugar and brandy. So. Good.

I have a workout question for you - is using the elliptical just as good of a workout as running on a treadmill?

Maria said...

The bars look great! I will have to find some of that flour!

vanillasugarblog said...

high in protein? well that's a plus. does the peanut flour tastes like pb? i would love to use it in pb bread.

Lauren said...

oooh, peanut flour sounds amazing! I'll have to b on the lookout for some of that!

Julie said...

yayyyyyyy!!! you got it in the mail :) :) you're going to SERIOUSLY love it. i use it like every day 5 times a day and i'm pretty sure you need to call josh's mom now and have her get you like 5 more packages. quick before the stop stocking it hahaha because you know that's bound to happen eventually :(

those bars look amazing! i've got to make them bc i know they'll be good when i need snacks on the run now. have a great thursday girl after all it IS d.c. thurs!

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

So the peanut flour does taste like peanuts, I was curious about that? The bars look great!

As much as I love summer squash, I am totally ready for the fall varieties to start coming in - acorn and butternut are so good!

Kelsey Ann said...

i love that you used peanut flour which sets these apart from the others ive seen on a few blogs lately! ive gotta try pumpkin chocolate chip muffins!!! its a MUST.. good job love <3

Amelia said...

Those bars look yummy! Feel free to send some my way ;) .

Acorn squash is by far my favorite fall/ winter squash to eat. I actually plan to make a roasted acorn squash and caramelized onion pizza for dinner this week. I also like to roast it cut in 1/2 with a little maple syrup and serve for Thanksgiving.

Heather said...

Am I one of those friends you're sending some goodies to??? :)

Those bars look great, too!

I think butternut squash is my favorite - it's so versatile.

Sarah said...

Aaahh!!! I can't believe you posted with peanut flour; I just bought some from TJ's this week but wasn't sure how to give it the first try. We don't eat many bars though, but do you think they would work in some muffins? Or maybe pancakes- ooo! That just popped in my head and I like that idea. Higher protein :)

And spaghetti squash! I have been thinking about spaghetti squash the past few days; I haven't seen it in my store yet. I just adore a big bowl of it with homemade marinara and lots of cheese.

My workouts are good, very low impact but still a good calorie burn thanks to a higher natural heart beat. I try to do an hour every morning, burning 350-400 calories.

Jenna said...

Peanut flour? Get out of here! I need to buy some and make these bars. :)

Michelle @ Find Your Balance said...

Peanut flour?? I haven't seen that! I guess it's like almond flour and great for those allergic to gluten. Sounds awesome.

Corey @ the runner's cookie said...

Your bars look amazing - I've never noticed the peanut flour at TJ's but I will need to check it out next time I go! Baking is so much more fun when it gets cooler out!!

Anonymous said...

I would like to eat everything in this post. THANKS.

Turkey meatballs. nom nom nom.
Does Josh like to share?! :)


HUGS TO YOUUUUUUUUUUUU! HAPPY THURSDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

Veggies, Cake & Cocktails said...

I love love love spaghetti squash. I'm going to have to look for it in the store the next time I go!

Those bars look delicious. I rarely get to TJ but when I do I'm going to pick up some of that flour.

Esi said...

Peanut flour? I'll have to find that asap! Butternut is my favorite squash with acorn close behind.

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

I need to try that peanut flour out. Those bars sound great.

I love spaghetti squash. I have 2 in the house just waiting to be used!

homecookedem said...

You're always baking up something yummy! ;)

I love spaghetti squash! Did you know that you can eat "meatballs" too! They have these eggplant meatballs I've found at Whole Foods and they're really good!! :)

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

my sister is mailing me some of that TJs flour! i am excited! will have to try these :)

Seglare said...

I'm a little allergic to peanuts, so the bars are off limits for me - but the muffins look amazing!! :) I will bookmark the recipe to try when I get my hands on some pumpkin puree (I have to make it from scratch, as it's not sold in the stores here).

Lauren said...

These bars look soooo incredible!! Oh I wish I could bake and make some too! :(

BroccoliHut said...

I love acorn squash too! It's so versatile for stuffing:) I've been having fun with spaghetti squash too.

Stacey said...

The bars and the muffins sound really good. The pb flour hasn't come to the Tj's in my area yet. But I'm waiting.

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

Those sound amazing!!!
I've never tried peanut flower, but it sounds like it's gotta be delicious:)

Diana said...

YEAH! Spaghetti Squash! Can't wait.

Your bars are killing me--I already had dessert but feel like I might need another. :) I do have a TJ's around the corner...maybe I should just go grab the peanut flour and make the real recipe right now, what do you think? :)

Jess said...

Mm—love spaghetti squash! Adding that to the shopping list...Thanks for the reminder!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

oooh i have peanut flour and i could totally try these...would omit the egg and wheat and just kinda wing it, but love the way they look!!!! YUMMM!

We Are Not Martha said...

Oh wow, I totally need to try that peanut flour!! Must get to TJ's! Also, HAPPY almost weekend!! :)

Sues

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I bet your kitchen just smelled outrageously good!! :-) Fall baking is definitely here--I am so excited! I wonder if regular grocery stores would carry peanut flour--I'd love to try some in baking!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE spaghetti squash. I can't wait to get my hands on some!

Angharad said...

Spaghetti squash! I just can't get over how good it is! Need to buy some - meatballs on top is a great idea. You're so sweet for always making a Josh dish and an Erica dish!

lynn said...

been hearing alot about that peanut flour - so interesting!

Krista said...

I'm a butternut squash kinda gal!

I've yet to see peanut flour around here. I bet it took those bars to the next level, though!!

Jessie (Bites and Pieces) said...

I've been interested in seeing how that peanut flour works in baked goods. It looks pretty awesome. I love spaghetti squiash!

Holly said...

I would LOVE to try peanut flour! I'm going to keep my eyes out for that next time I'm at TJ's. :-)

Gosh, I love all squash! But butternut and acorn are probably my favorites. I've been craving squash since it's getting a little cool here at night - I love it!

Hope you have a great weekend, girl!

The Blonde Duck said...

I've never had squash!

fittingbackin said...

Great workouts! Mine are coming along great - although I missed a run this week. I blame it on the short week, buying a car and back-to-back out of town trips. Great excuses, right?! :)

Those bars look AMAZING!

Natalie said...

I need some peanut flour, JUST so I can make those bars :) What a great recipe!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

peanut flour!!! i need to try some of this! its all over! :)

Rachael said...

Delicata squash. Or spaghetti. Or pumpkin. Anything squash-like is golden in my book!

Priyanka@thehealthydiary said...

I really love spaghetti squash, there are so many things you can do with it. I love how you used the peanut flour.

Melissa said...

Oooh.. those granola bars look yummy! I was thinking about getting a spaghetti squash the other day. What does it taste like?? My favorite squash is butternut squash.. yumm!!

Miz said...

yesyesyes to that link!!

feel free to leave in comments and shoutout to yerself as well :)

Unknown said...

ooh, i have some of that peanut flour, need to try it soon!!

Bridget said...

Nice! I was waiting for you to make something with that flour! So it just add's a peanut buttery taste then? That's pretty awesome!
Mmmm I want spagetti squash right now!! Perfect day for it!

janetha said...

These bars are delicious! I added protein powder and vanilla extract. Yum! Thanks!