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Healthy Berry Streusel Bars Recipe

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4.4 from 12 reviews

These healthy berry streusel bars feature a nutritious combination of almond oat streusel layers and a thick mixed berry filling. Perfectly vegan and gluten-free when using certified oats, these bars offer a delicious, wholesome dessert option with natural sweetness from maple syrup and coconut sugar.

Ingredients

Berry Filling

  • 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (12g) cornstarch
  • 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (23ml) water
  • 2 cups (about 300g) fresh or frozen mixed berries (do not thaw)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon (11g) coconut sugar, brown sugar, or granulated sugar

Crust + Streusel

  • 2 and 1/2 cups (213g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats or quick oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (255g) almond butter
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup (60g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup (56g) coconut oil, melted (or melted butter)

Topping

  • 1/2 cup (64g) sliced or chopped almonds
  • 1 extra Tablespoon oats

Instructions

  1. Make Berry Filling: Whisk cornstarch and water together until dissolved. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cornstarch mixture, berries, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. Stir continuously with a rubber spatula, gently smashing some berries to release juices. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely; refrigerate after slight cooling to speed up the process. Filling can be used cold or room temperature when assembling bars.
  2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on sides for easy removal of bars.
  3. Prepare Crust and Streusel: Pulse oats in a food processor (10 pulses for whole oats, 5-6 for quick oats) until slightly broken up. In a bowl, combine oats, cinnamon, almond butter, maple syrup, applesauce, and melted coconut oil to form a thick, wet mixture.
  4. Assemble Base Layer: Press about three-quarters of the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create a compact base ensuring bars will hold together.
  5. Add Berry Filling: Spread the cooled berry filling evenly over the pressed crust layer in the pan.
  6. Prepare and Add Topping: Mix sliced almonds into the remaining crust mixture. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the berry filling. Finish by sprinkling 1 tablespoon of oats on top to absorb moisture.
  7. Bake Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 27-31 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned and crisp.
  8. Cool and Store: Remove the pan from oven and place on a cooling rack. Let bars cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour, then refrigerate to speed up cooling if desired. Lift bars out using parchment paper overhang and cut into 12 squares. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Use certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Do not thaw frozen berries before cooking to maintain texture and color.
  • Almond butter can be substituted with any nut or seed butter of choice but may slightly alter flavor.
  • The bars are best stored refrigerated and can be served cold or at room temperature.
  • For a sweeter berry filling, adjust maple syrup and sugar quantity to taste.
  • The added tablespoon of oats on top helps absorb moisture and keeps the topping from becoming soggy.

Find it online: https://recipesbyliza.com/healthy-berry-streusel-bars-recipe/