Nutrigrain Bars

The request for homemade Nutrigrain bars recipe came from a reader (thanks Steph).  After looking at several recipes I'm excited to share this one I found at pilgrimspantry.com!  They are soooo good and so healthy!!  You're going to be SHOCKED when you scroll down to see what they're made of!  I think my husband has eaten 10 of them in the last day!




Ingredients:

1/2 c butter, softened
1t vanilla
1c packed brown sugar
1c whole wheat flour
1c all purpose flour
1 1/2 c rolled oats
2c jam or fruit preserves

and for the kicker....1/2c white beans, drained and rinsed!  I know -crazy right?!?  Any white bean will work-I used Navy beans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1-Place the beans, vanilla, and softened butter into a blender or food processor to make smooth

 

2- Mix smooth bean mixture with other ingredients-white flour, wheat flour, oats, and brown sugar.  Mixture will be crumbly

 

3- On foil lined and greased baking sheet or silpat press down half the dough on to the pan.

4- Spread jam, jelly, or even leftover fruit boiled with a little sugar onto mixture

5- Spread remainder of mixture on top of fruit to create your "sandwich".  I added some raw oats on top to help fill in holes where I didn't do the best job spreading my 2nd half of the mixture.

6- Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly brown at 350 degrees.

7- Let cool and then cut into squares or bars.  This can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 5 days, or frozen up to six months.

Ideas:  These would make a great after school snack, or breakfast!  Mix extras into the batter if you're trying to get extra goodness into your family, ie. flax seeds or chia seeds!

Mmmmm Mmmm good!

Be Creative and Enjoy!

STATS:

Better - These things are delicious!  I love the endless options these have!!  *check*
Healthier - I know "White beans" is not an ingredient of any nutri-grain bars I've seen!  These also boast a healthy dose of whole wheat flour and depending on what type of fruit preserves you use (ie. sugar free or homemade) there's another place for a health improvement! *check*
Cheaper - These cost me nothing to make because everything was already in my pantry!  The recipe doesn't call for enough of anything  to cause for a separate but if you were doing the math I can't imagine these would cost more than $1 or 2 and you get 1/2 a pan full!  I got an entire gallon ziplock full of bars! -probably 24? Nutri-grain bars in the store are at least $3 for 8!  *check*