Choco-Oat Cookie Bars

If once in awhile ya just gotta have something sweet that satisfies or you’re looking to serve your family a healthier treat, try my Choco-Oat Cookie Bars. So easy to make, these “yummies” would be the perfect baking project for all the “lil” chefs in your house!

 
Traditional chocolate chip snack cakes, cookies and bars are typically laden with white flour, refined sugar and excess calories. I have lightly sweetened these bars with unrefined coconut palm sugar and used all-natural chocolate chips. Judicious use of real butter provides just the right texture and a combo of oats and gluten-free flour replaces the usual white flour.

 

Choco-Oat Cookie Bars

Yield: 9 to 12 bars

 
Click HERE for the full recipe, but in the nutshell, here is what you do:
 

Instructions

Lightly coat an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9-inch square baking pan with olive oil spray. Line pan with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. (for easier removal of bars)

 
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, xanthan gum*, baking powder and salt. *only needed if using gluten-free flour.

 
With an electric mixer, beat together butter and coconut palm sugar.

 
Beat in vanilla and eggs, combining well.

 
On low speed, add flour mixture, alternating each addition with coconut or almond milk. Mix just until all ingredients are well combined.

 
By hand, stir in oats and chocolate chips or cacao nibs.

 
Spread mixture into pan.

 
Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of pan comes out almost clean and bars are lightly browned.

 
Let cool for 10 minutes in pan on a rack.

 
Holding on to overhanging ends of parchment paper, lift out the bars and allow to finish cooling before cutting.

 
Cut bars into 9 or 12 portions.

 

Choco-Oat Cookie Bars

If once in awhile ya just “gotta have” something sweet that satisfies or you’re looking to serve your family a healthier treat, try my Choco-Oat Cookie Bars. Traditional chocolate chip snack cakes, cookies and bars are typically laden with white flour, refined sugar and excess calories. I have lightly sweetened these bars with unrefined coconut palm sugar and all-natural chocolate chips. Judicious use of real butter provides just the right texture and a combo of oats and gluten-free flour replaces the usual white flour.

Yield: 9 to 12 bars
Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

  • Olive oil spray
  • Parchment paper
  • 1 cup gluten-free baking flour mixture or whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum only needed if using gluten-free flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter softened, cut into pieces (1 stick)
  • 2/3 cup coconut palm sugar see MPM Mini-Bites for more info
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 1/3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup dark or semisweet chocolate chips or 3/4 cup raw cacao nibs

Instructions

  • Lightly coat an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9-inch square baking pan with olive oil spray. Line pan with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. (for easier removal of bars)
  • In a medium bowl, stir together flour, xanthan gum,* baking powder and salt. *only needed if using gluten-free flour
  • With an electric mixer, beat together butter and coconut palm sugar. Beat in vanilla and eggs, combining well.
  • On low speed, add flour mixture, alternating each addition with coconut or almond milk. Mix just until all ingredients are well combined.
  • By hand, stir in oats and chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Spread mixture into pan.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of pan comes out almost clean and bars are lightly browned.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes in pan on a rack.
  • Lift out bars and allow to finish cooling before cutting.
  • Cut bars into 9 or 12 portions.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: store bars covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Consider wrapping and freezing bars individually for up to 3 months for a readily available portion-controlled treat!

 

Notes

Coconut Palm Sugar: I have been searching for a healthier sweetening alternative for use in baking and have been experimenting with coconut palm sugar. Brands to look for are Coconut Secret and Wholesome Sweeteners.

Reportedly lower glycemic and possibly suitable for some diabetics, coconut palm sugar has a similar look, taste and texture of brown sugar, albeit to some, less sweet. Coconut palm sugar can replace regular cane and/or brown sugar in equal amounts in most recipes. Do your own research about this unprocessed sweetener to decide if it’s an acceptable choice for you. Naturally, if you have a medical concern, check first with your health care practitioner.
 
If you prefer not to use coconut palm sugar in this recipe, you can use ⅓ cup cane sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar.
 
Gluten-Free Flours and Flour Combinations: are becoming increasingly popular and are now commonly found in many mainstream supermarkets. I like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour which takes the guesswork out of choosing just the right mixture. When using gluten-free flours, you will need to add some xanthan gum, a natural carbohydrate, which helps provide just the right texture and volume to your baked goods.
 
Chocolate Chips: the choice is yours as to how healthy you want your chocolate chips to be! Enjoy Life Foods makes Semi Sweet Mega Chunks and Mini Chips which are gluten, dairy and soy-free chips that do contain sugar. Sunspire makes a variety of chocolate chips including Grain Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips which are sweetened with brown rice syrup solids. Their Unsweetened Carob Chips do contain dairy. Ghirardelli offers all-natural 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips which do contain sugar and dairy. For an unsweetened chocolate chip alternative, consider trying cacao nibs sold by companies such as TerrAmazon.
 
*This recipe can be considered gluten-free if you choose certified gluten-free ingredients.
 
Other healthier chocolate chip treats to try are: Chewy Peanut Butter Choco-Chip Cookies, Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake Squares and Breakfast Power Bites.
 

 

 

 

Coming to the Blog: Grilled Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

 

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Linda Shapiro, Meal Planning Maven

23 Responses

  1. You've come up with a super healthful combo here. I can see taking these on a long bike ride for energy. On my "to do" list. Even though I'd have to bake them! ;)
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Oh you can do it Kc...I have faith in you! And yes, they would be perfect to help sustain your energy for long bike rides!
  2. I want one right now with my hot green tea. Yum!!!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      I'll be right over with a freshly baked pan for you Nancy!
  3. These bars look absolutely delicious Linda! Pinned and shared!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks bunches Joanne!
  4. I'd love one of these as a naughty evening snack with a large glass of milk. The oats make it healthy right? :)
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      But of course Janette! :)
  5. Love these cookie bars, I will definitely be making these. Your recipe is great and I like that you made it gluten free as well.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks so much Joanne! I think you will really love these!
  6. They came out so perfect! I did like the tips along the way - great for those who would not know how to use the xanthum! Also did not know that Bob's Mill (a product I am familiar with for other oats and flours) produced it. Thanks for a great post.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Oh Patty...I am sooooooo excited you made the bars! This is one of our "go-to" snacks when you want a nosh that isn't over the top. I use Bob's Red Mill products all the time as everything they make is pure and works wonderfully in a number of recipes. What kind of flour did you decide to use? Thanks for stopping by and as always, I am so grateful for all your generous support! :)
  7. Boy do these cookie bars ever look good! I love the use of coconut milk. YUM
  8. I love your healthy change up on these decadent cookie bars Linda! They look so scrumptious and It's ok to eat more than one! yum!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Absolutely it is ok Diane...have fun with these!
  9. These sound great Linda!!! A perfect snack or a special morning treat!!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks Angela! I bet your kids will love them too!
  10. Wow, you are delving into gluten free...I love it!!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      You are my inspiration Sandi!!
  11. Not only do I love the sound of these bars but I know my kids will too! Thanks for this one!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      I just know your kids will love these bars...let me know if you try them!
  12. Pinned and sharing these delicious bars, Linda! I love it when something this tasty can be wholesome too! Thank you for sharing your Choco-Oat Bars with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      My pleasure April. Thanks so much for your kind words!