Craving a sweet treat that's also good for you? Look no further! These sweet potato bars offer the perfect balance of sweet and savory, delivering a delightful dessert experience without the guilt. They’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for a quick weeknight dessert or a delightful addition to your weekend baking repertoire. This recipe offers a healthy twist on a classic, making it a fantastic option for those seeking delicious and nutritious homemade cooking. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this surprisingly simple and satisfying recipe!
Ingredients:
-
For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
-
For the sweet potato filling:
- 1 large sweet potato, cooked and mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Get started: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8 inch baking pan.
Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine rolled oats, almond flour, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well until a crumbly mixture forms. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, mash the cooked sweet potato. Add maple syrup, applesauce, egg, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until well combined.
Assemble and bake: Pour the sweet potato filling evenly over the oat crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly golden brown.
Cool and serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows them to set properly and makes cutting much easier.
Tips for Sweet Potato Success:
- Roasting the sweet potato: For the best flavor, roast your sweet potato before mashing it. Simply pierce it with a fork, wrap it in foil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about an hour, or until tender.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet treat, reduce the amount of maple syrup in both the crust and the filling.
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts would add a wonderful crunch to the bars. Stir them into the crust or sprinkle them on top of the filling before baking.
- Spice it up: Feel free to experiment with different spices! Ginger, cardamom, or allspice would all complement the sweet potato beautifully.
Variations:
- Chocolate Sweet Potato Bars: Add ½ cup of dark chocolate chips to the sweet potato filling for an indulgent twist.
- Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Bars: Add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the filling for a warm autumnal flavor.
Nutritional Information (per bar, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used, but a single bar will generally provide a good source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it a relatively healthy dessert option compared to many traditional treats. For a precise nutritional breakdown, use a nutrition calculator with your specific ingredient quantities.
These sweet potato bars are a fantastic example of easy recipes that deliver big on flavor and nutrition. They’re a perfect quick dinner idea for a healthy dessert, or a great addition to a potluck. Enjoy this delicious and healthy treat!