Apple Peanut Butter Snack Bars

Apple Peanut Butter Snack Bars.

January 20, 2011

If there is any snack that has been a staple throughout my funny little life, it has surely been apples and peanut butter. Best snack ever.

When I was younger, my mom used to slice apples and sprinkle them with cinnamon. They would be served with a glob of peanut butter and I just thought that was the best thing since sliced bread. Well, almost.

I probably threw a tantrum because I wanted a Happy Meal instead.

But the good news is that the apples and peanut butter stayed with me.

The Happy Meals didn’t.
Thank goodness. Because that wouldn’t leave much room for cake, bacon and chocolate.

These bars also come with a makeshift applesauce. You can try subbing regular applesauce, but I was fresh out. So I simply heated some apples with cinnamon until they were soft, then smashed them into itty bitty pieces. It was fun. I like mashing things.
And I ate multiple spoonfuls. Fun and delicious.

I glued everything together with melty peanut butter and a little touch of honey. Sort of like the 5 Ingredient Granola Bars, but not really.
These babies can stand on their own.

I pressed the mixture in to a springform pan because I am so bored with eating granola bars and squares. I needed some spice in my life.
See?

I’m over bars. Bring on the wedges.
It’s like a granola cheesecake!

Except I really wish I was eating cheesecake instead. Who wouldn’t? I can’t lie to you.

You slice it up like a pizza. I also wish it was pizza. Can you tell I’m hungry?

Just to take things over the top, I added a peanut butter drizzle on one of my bars.

Because honestly… I can’t go a day without adding additional calories to everything I eat. It’s a sickness.

Apple Peanut Butter Snack Bars

wedge idea inspired by Eating Well

makes 8 granola wedges

2 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 medium apples, peeled and chopped (or also sub 1/2-3/4 cup applesauce)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

3/4 cup peanut butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup honey

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, salt and baking powder and mix. To soften apples, mix them with 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or pan roast on medium heat for 10 minutes. Once apples are soft, mash them with a fork making sure to leave some large chunks. Add apples into oat mix. Melt peanut butter and stir vanilla into peanut butter. Add peanut butter to apples and oats.

Mix with wooden spoon until all ingredients are moistened. You can even work the dough with your hands to get it all together. Add honey one tablespoon at a time, mixing until everything is combined. Mix with you hands before adding additional honey, but add it one tablespoon at a time if needed. You want the dough to be sticky, but not too wet. Spray a springform pan or pie plate with non-stick spray and pour in oat dough. Spread it evenly in the pan and give the top a quick spray with non-stick spray – it will help hold it together. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before cutting. Slice into wedges and top with more melted peanut butter.

You are probably thinking “at least she didn’t top them with chocolate too.” Oh I did. Don’t worry. I just didn’t document it. My grubby little hands gobbled them up too quickly. That was really good.