This recipe has a story. I tried something similar to these bars at a local health food store. I fell in love and knew I would be craving these regularly. Fast forward one week. I bought two $6/box (2 bars each) helpings to eat by myself through the week and the rest of my family loved them so much I realized this was probably an unsustainable relationship with this food. Everyone wanted the last bite two days into them entering our fridge. So, I set out to figure out how to make something as similar as possible. It took me two weeks, but these are delicious. And, while the ingredients are not cheap, these are definitely lighter on our pocketbook.
So bottom line, I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I also love oatmeal no-bakes. I am pretty cheap. This recipe takes the flavor of PB&J and gives it the texture of a gooey no-bake cookie and does so on a budget. Really, there are not a lot of additional words needed. This pan of ooey gooey goodness says it all. Enjoy something that tastes delectable without guilt (unless you eat the whole pan - then you may have to feel guilty).
Note: I had originally thought making a double batch is better. Although it worked just fine about 30 minutes ago, it's easier to control in the food processor I have with the smaller batch. I'll give you the full batch ingredients, which makes two 8x8 pans, but you can cut it in half with perfect results as well.
Recipe
* 3 cups quick cook oats
* 1 cup roasted, unsalted cashews
* heaping 1/2 cup of strawberry preserves
* 1/2 cup coconut oil
* 1 cup PB2 powder
* 16 medjool dates, pitted
* 4 TBSP creamy peanut butter
Literally, dump everything in your food processor and process until sticky and well incorporated. As a note, I do save the cashews for last because I like some chunky pieces in my bars. If you want everything super fine, just put them in with everything else.
No joke. That's it. Now taste it to make sure it is the right consistency for you. You may need to add a tablespoon or so extra of the strawberry preserves if it's still a little too dry for your taste.
I put some strawberry preserves in a plastic bag and tried piping some across the top to make them look prettier. Well, you see how that turned out. Next time I'd use an actual piping bag and tip if I were taking them somewhere. But, I'm not. We'll probably eat a whole pan before the weekend is over.
Note: I recommend letting these set up in the fridge for about an hour before you eat them and then store them in the fridge in a tightly sealed container. The coconut oil will lead the bars to not set up well unless they are cool.
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