Apple-Oatmeal Bars
3 cups uncooked oat flakes
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup apple juice, or other liquid sweetener
3/4 cup non-hydrogenated vegan margarine
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup applesauce or 1 well-mashed banana
Filling:
2 apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup water
Preheat oven to 370 degrees.
Cook apples over medium heat on stovetop with cinnamon and water. Be sure to check on them every now and then, and squish them up when they get softer if desired.
Mix oats, flour, salt, baking soda, and spices in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix the margarine, applesauce/banana, apple juice and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and mix well.
Spread half of the oatmeal mixture into a large, greased casserole dish. Layer the apples on, then top with remaining oatmeal mixture.
Bake for about 30 minutes, until top has browned.
SO HOW'D IT GO?
I just got done making these.
They taste great! But, I have a few suggestions:
It was REALLY difficult to get the second layer of oat-mix to spread on top of the apples. I would actually just suggest using ALL of the oat mix on bottom, and then spread the apples on top. It's also make it easier to cut this dish into bars!
I would also use about twice as much apple. Honestly, can you ever have too much apple? I think not.
I also used apple cider instead of apple juice.
All-in-all though, delish!