Description

These Oatmeal Fudge Bars are a wholesome and delicious treat combining hearty rolled oats and whole wheat flour with rich peanut butter and dark chocolate chips. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and applesauce, they offer a healthier twist on classic fudge bars. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars are easy to make and bake to golden perfection in under half an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)

Add-ins

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir well until all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
Combine wet and dry: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
Layer the batter: Spread half of the oatmeal batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth base layer.
Add chocolate chips: Evenly sprinkle the dark chocolate chips over the batter layer to create a delicious fudge center.
Top with remaining batter: Gently spread the remaining batter over the chocolate chips, covering them carefully without mixing the layers.
Bake the bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is set and lightly golden brown.
Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 equally sized bars for serving.

Notes

You can substitute whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour if preferred.
Use any nut butter of your choice for a different flavor profile.
Make sure the applesauce is unsweetened to control the sweetness level.
Letting the bars cool completely before cutting prevents them from crumbling.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.