Here we are again – the beginning of the week. Monday creeps up so quickly!
It was a splendid sunny Fall weekend here in NYC. I cheerfully kicked my way through colorful leaves, picked up a pumpkin and some gorgeous mums, and had my first cup of hot cider. How good is life?? How good is Fall?!
I’m grateful for these crisp days that clearly speak the season at hand, yet are bright and inviting enough for a long walks and reading in the park. I’m not ready for the grey cold Blanket that Winter will eventually drape over the city. Please, NO!
I hope you enjoyed some Fall this weekend too; it really is a lovely time of year to get outside.
Now, about these breakfast/ snack bars.
Do you buy those wonderfully marketed, shiny foiled Luna, Cliff, or whatever – other – cleverly – deemed – “you can do it” – bars? I’ve tried a few variations – really wanting to like them as they seem like a great option for a grab and go snack – but I was always left with an odd after taste, or just total flavor dissatisfaction. Also, with prices ranging from 2-4 bucks a bar – they get pricey.
That’s were these babies come in!
Sticky Oat – and – Pine – Nut Bars have the same grab and go abilities, no mystery aftertaste, and keep in your fridge for a week. I found myself looking forward to one (or two) and an apple as an afternoon snack almost everyday since making them.
These sticky treats are really incredible in the taste department; they have that je ne sais quoi quality that makes them sure to be repeatedly made.
The white chocolate is just sweet enough – and just the right amount – to make this indulgence acceptable as an anytime day (or night) snack. The mixture of oats and pine nuts works to keep you full and has a delightful crunch to the overall product. Honey, butter, sugar, and black pepper holds everything together and the pepper gives the sweet bars a spicy little kick.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to grab one of these and a coffee before work.
Happy Monday, Loves. I hope you find beauty and love in everything you do today.
Sticky – Oat – and – Pine – Nut Bars – Food and Wine
Ingredients:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats, preferably thick-cut
- 1 1/2 cups pine nuts (8 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of salt
- 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon canola oil
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter with the honey and sugar and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until an amber caramel forms, about 5 minutes. Stir in the oats, pine nuts, pepper and salt and cook, stirring constantly, until the pine nuts just begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Bake for about 20 minutes, until bubbling and browned around the edges. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Run the tip of a knife around the edge of the pan and lift the square from the pan. Cut the square in half, then cut each half into 6 bars. Discard the parchment paper.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate at high power at 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Stir in the oil and let cool slightly. Dip the bottom half of each oat bar into the white chocolate and set the bars on the baking sheet. Refrigerate just until the white chocolate is set. If the chocolate looks thin, dip the bars a second time.
Juliana says
Oh! These bars sure look delicious…especially with white chocolate!
Hope you are having a great week Ashley 🙂
bakerbynature says
Thank you, Juliana! They white chocolate really worked well with the punch of black pepper to keep things sweet.
yummychunklet says
Ah! You had me at the Lindt white chocolate pieces. Yum!
bakerbynature says
It took so much self control not to eat the pieces just as they were!
Charles says
Oh my God… I want. They remind me a little of an English Flapjack but with more “Mmm mmm mmm”. They look so sticky and delicious, and I’m loving the chocolate addition. On that subject, I don’t think I ever saw Lindt white chocolate before. White with Coconut, possibly, but never plain white. I’ll have to look some more!
bakerbynature says
I just checked out those English flapjacks – very intriguing! I actually got that Lindt white chocolate bar on a flight back from Australia, so I’m not much help on where in the world to find them, but I hope you do 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I’ve seen a lot of snack bars but your photos of these bars totally made my mouth water, endlessly! Oh I wish I have even one piece or even crumbs of that right now…..I’ve never made bars before but I’m seriously considering to make one. Only problem is who would stop me from eating all when I bake it…
bakerbynature says
I wish I could reach through the screen and share some with you, Nami! You should give these a try; the recipe only produces 12 bars, and they last up to 7 days in the fridge – perfect for snacks!
Emma says
I’ve never bought those ‘you are a champion and you’re pretty and you like things that like you’ bars, but I’ve been given some in my grab bags at races, and I know what you mean about the funny taste/after-taste. They’re just kind of weird – is that what natural tastes like?:)
It’ll be the day when I have a spare cup point five of pine nuts. I can’t wait for that day!
bakerbynature says
I’m going to experiment with using other nuts in these; i’ll let you know if any of them are taste scores.
Rach says
Mmm… these look delicious!
bakerbynature says
Thanks, Rach! I loved them.
Three-Cookies says
Awesome, I will certainly try this, love oats.
“The bars can be refrigerated for 1 week or kept at room temperature for up to 3 days.” – I doubt it, be lucky if they last a day:)
bakerbynature says
They lasted exactly 3 days in my pad, and that’s with only me eating them! I think a family could polish these off on one day easy.
Liz says
Sticky? With oats? And dipped in white chocolate??? Oh, boy, consider me a fan of these gems! YUM!
bakerbynature says
They are what other granola bars dream of becoming when they grow up!
Tine says
Lovely recipe!
bakerbynature says
Thank you, Tine!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama says
I LOVE homemade granola bars… these ones look tasty! I am going to make these soon. yummm
bakerbynature says
I hope you do, Carrie! They are so so tasty, and pretty guilt free in the grand spectrum of things.