Tag Archives: oatmeal

Fudgey Oatmeal Bars

Posted by Brenda K. Agresta in Cookie Bars and Brownies and tagged with , , , ,

Fudgey Oatmeal Bars

Two all time favorites rolled into one. Layers of oatmeal cookie dough filled with semi-sweet, chocolate fudge. Chewy, chocolatey, decadent and delicious!

Fudgey Oatmeal Bars

(adapted from a recipe by Averie Cooks)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted and cooled slightly
1 large egg
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned whole-rolled oats (not quick cook or instant)
1 cup all-purpose flour
pinch salt, optional and to taste
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for batter
half of one 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
about 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for sprinkling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, keeping a 2 inch over hang. Spray with Pam cooking spray and set aside.

  1. In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Whisk in cooled, melted butter until smooth. Add in oats and flour, stirring just until combined, being careful not to over mix.
  2. Use a spatula to spread 3 quarters of the batter out into pan to form a crust. Reserve remaining batter.
  3. Add 1 cup chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk to a microwave safe bowl. Heat on high in 30 second intervals until chips are melted. Stir to combine. Quickly pour and smooth chocolate mixture over crust (chocolate sets up quickly).
  4. Spoon remaining batter over chocolate and smooth out with a spatula. For soft bars, bake for 25 minutes, just until top is set. Topping will be pale in color. Baking until golden will result in crunchy bars.
  5. Remove from oven and top with 1/3 cup chocolate chips. Cool in pan for at least an hour. Lift out using foil overhang. When completely cooled, slice and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Oatmeal Cookies

Posted by Brenda K. Agresta in Cookies and tagged with , ,
Oatmeal Cookies 2

This cookie recipe offers so many delicious variations.  From white chocolate, dried cranberries and pecans to dark chocolate, walnuts and dried cherries or simply made with traditional raisins, these cookies are moist with lots of buttery flavor. A hint of cinnamon puts them over the top.

Oatmeal Cookies

adapted from Joy of Baking

3/4 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature

1 cup light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins

1 cup white or dark chocolate

1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

If using nuts, you’ll want to toast them first.  Spread nuts on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, 5-8 minutes. Chop when cooled.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.

In a separate bowl add flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; mix well.

Slowly add flour mixture to butter and sugar and beat until combined. Stir in oats and dried fruit. Add chips and nuts if using.

Scoop 1/4 cup of batter per cookie for large cookies and place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat.

Bake 12 – 15 minutes just until light golden brown around the edges. Cookies should be soft and a little wet in the middle.

Remove cookies from oven and leave on them on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

Makes about 20 – 24 large cookies

Healthy Homemade Granola

Posted by Brenda K. Agresta in Breakfast and Brunch and tagged with , , , , , ,

Homemade Granola

I start every weekday morning with greek yogurt and fresh berries topped with this sweet, crunchy, healthy granola. It fills me up and helps me maintain a healthy weight. Full of wholesome ingredients, it’s quick and easy to make and so delicious. I make a fresh batch every weekend so I always have it on hand. Use different types of dried fruit and nuts to change it up.

Healthy Homemade Granola

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

2 cups old fashioned Quaker Oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
3 tablespoons agave nectar

Mix ingredients in a large bowl making sure oil and agave nectar are evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.

Spread out evenly on a large sheet pan. Bake for 25 minutes, low and slow, stirring half way through baking time.

Let cool on baking sheet, store in airtight container.