Peanut Butter and Maple Oat Bars
For when you need a break from hardcore sweets.
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup dark chocolate chips (I use naturally sweetened chips)
1 cup chopped dried fruit (I used prunes or cherries
1 teaspoon baking soda
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until relatively smooth. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and eggs, then whisk until incorporated. Add the oats, chocolate chips, dried fruit, and baking soda, then stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared pan and spread in an even layer.
Bake for 30 minutes, until the edges are golden. Let cool completely in the pan, then slice into bars and serve.