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Mmm. It's that time of year for berries. If I had my way, berries would be in season all year, especially blueberries. I buy the big frozen bag from Costco at least once a month and use it in smoothies, oatmeal, parfaits...sometimes I just eat a bowl of frozen blueberries. I swear it tastes like dessert. Like blueberry cheesecake minus the cheesecake.
I also make oatmeal blueberry bars year round, although frozen berries tend to turn the bars blue. They still taste good, just look a little odd (Unless you are three years old, in which case blue food is awesome). Oatmeal blueberry bars are a family favorite, from my one year old for breakfast to my five year and my husband for snack or dessert. In fact, my son is asking for a bar as I type this. The bars freeze well, too. You know, in case you aren't human and somehow have some left over. I usually have to cut mine up and freeze them within the first day, before my hubby leaves me with just crumbs.
My original recipe for blueberry oatmeal bars called for way too much sugar - 1 cup each of brown sugar and granulated, plus a half cup of oil. If I can find a way to make it healthier and still taste good, I will. So I've made a few healthier modifications, added orange to give it just a subtly sweet flavor, and the result...de-light-ful.
So go on, get a pint (or 2) of fresh blueberries and make this yummy bar. It's healthy enough for breakfast and tasty enough for a treat.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Makes 24 bars
Ingredients:
Directions:
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Makes 24 bars
Ingredients:
- 1/2 c butter (1 stick), softened
- 1/2 c brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 c granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 c plain yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 Tbsp orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
- 3 c old fashioned oats
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 baking pan.
- In small bowl whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
- In large bowl cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs, yogurt, vanilla, orange juice and zest
and mix well. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until combined. - Stir in oats. Gently fold in then blueberries.
- Spread evenly into greased pan. Cook 30 - 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before cutting into 24 bars.