Blueberry-Oat Bars

By vdub

Ingredients

• Blueberry Filling:
• 1 pint blueberries
• 1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 Tbs. cornstarch mixed with enough water to form a smooth paste
• Oat Base:
• 3 cups gluten-free oatmeal (regular, not instant)
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 6 oz. unsweetened applesauce
• 6 Tbs. agave nectar or maple syrup
• 6 Tbs. water
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375F and oil an 8×8-inch baking dish.

In small saucepan, make the filling by combining blueberries, agave nectar, and juice; bring to a boil over medium-high heat; when it boils, stir in the vanilla and the cornstarch mixture; continue to stir as the mixture boils and thickens; remove from heat and set aside.

Put 1½ cups of the oatmeal into blender and grind it to a fine powder; pour it into a medium-sized mixing bowl and add remaining oatmeal, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; mix well; stir in applesauce, agave nectar, water, and vanilla, and mix well.

Spread half the batter into prepared pan, smoothing well to cover bottom of pan; spoon blueberry filling over batter, and cover blueberries with remaining batter.

Bake 30 minutes or until top is lightly browned; allow to cool before cutting into bars.