Description
Delight in these Maple Oatmeal Crisp Bars, a perfect balance of sweet maple syrup, warm cinnamon, and hearty rolled oats baked into a crumbly, golden treat. Ideal for snacking or a wholesome dessert, these bars are easy to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy your cravings with natural sweetness and a crisp texture.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- Rolled oats: 2 cups (about 180 g)
- All-purpose flour: 1 cup (about 120 g)
- Brown sugar: 1/2 cup (packed, about 100 g)
- Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
Wet Ingredients
- Butter: 1/2 cup (unsalted, about 115 g, melted)
- Maple syrup: 1/2 cup (about 120 ml)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the melted butter and maple syrup into the dry ingredients.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir the mixture until the oats are fully coated and it forms a crumbly texture.
- Form Base Layer: Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer.
- Bake Base: Bake the base layer for 15 minutes until slightly firm.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the partially baked base and press down gently to compact.
- Bake Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Cut: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares or rectangles for serving.
Notes
- You can substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a different flavor profile.
- For a nuttier taste, consider adding 1/2 cup chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the mixture.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These bars freeze well; wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months.
- If you prefer a softer bar, reduce the second baking time by 5 minutes.
