ParentMap and PCC have partnered to produce an exciting new web series called Healthy Kids Cook, designed to encourage families to make a healthy habit of cooking fresh food together in the kitchen. Each month, PCC Chef Jackie Freeman hosts families in the PCC kitchen to create a healthy and fun-to-make recipe featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables. In this episode, siblings Tate and Elijah and their mother Basilia learn how to make yummy, strawberry-packed oat bars — sure to be your new go-to recipe for healthy after-school snack time.
Make sure these bars are completely cooled before you cut them into squares — if you can wait that long to eat them!
Makes 24 bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups quick or regular rolled oats
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 14 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds or flaked coconut (optional)
- 4 cups hulled and roughly chopped strawberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease an 8- by 12-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
- Mix together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix in butter with your hands or a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs; fold in almonds or coconut.
- Press 2/3 of the oat mixture into the prepared pan.
- Combine strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and lemon zest in a bowl. Toss until strawberries have absorbed the sugar.
- Spread strawberry mixture evenly over the prepared crust. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over the top of the strawberries and pat lightly.
- Bake until light brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely and then cut into squares.
- Recipe by Jackie Freeman, PCC Chef
EACH BAR: 160 cal, 7g fat (4.5g sat), 20mg chol, 65mg sodium, 21g carb, 1g fiber, 2g protein
