Oat Fig Bars

This recipe was inspired by Aran's GF berry bars. Aran of Cannelle et Vanille, whose stunning pastry blog needs no introduction, is now a contributor on the blog Connor's Journey with Autism: a resource for families with autistic children. After reading her wonderful post, I decided to dust-off my recipe for oat bars. I happened to have a bounty of fresh organic figs, so I decided to make them with my homemade, quick and easy fig jam recipe.

These great bars are flavored with earthy oats and fragrant orange zest. We enjoy them for dessert, snack or breakfast.



Oat Fig Bars (makes an 9" square pan)
Sucanat adds a nice earthiness to this treat but regular sugar will work as well.
I use roasted oils in salad dressings and baked goods-- they add a delicate depth of flavor. Feel free to substitute regular vegetable oil, such as canola, if you don't have any in your pantry. The bars will still taste great.

If you are not looking to cut out the gluten substitute 1 cup of whole-wheat white flour for the brown rice flour and omit the xantham gum.

Ingredients:

2 cups GF Rolled Oats
1 cup almond meal
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup sucanat or granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp xantham gum
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup roasted almond oil, or other sweet vegetable oil (or canola is okay)
1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tsp of orange zest
1 cup of fig jam, homemade or store bought
2 figs, sliced thin (optional for decoration)

Preheat oven 375F.
Oil a 9" square pan



Mix the oats, almond meal, rice flour, sugar, baking powder, xantham gum, salt in a bowl together until well combined.

In a couple steps add the oil and mix. Then add the orange juice and zest and mix well to incorporate.

Take half the crumb mixture and pat it down at the bottom of the pan. Add a layer of fig jam. Then, sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture on top and pat it down until it looks flat and somewhat even. Finish by decorating the top with thin slices of figs.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until it looks cooked and slightly golden. Let cool before cutting and serving.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:
Blueberry Plum Clafoutis
Walnut Lebanese Cookies