~ "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." ~ "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" ~ "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." ~ "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."~

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Banana Chocolate Chip Bar



Banana Chocolate Chip Bar.... I came across this bar recipe while looking on Tastespotting one day. The pictures were mouth watering, and I knew I had to try it. I really loved the idea of a Banana Chocolate Bar... I love banana bread, and sometimes I want something different. This was the perfect recipe to try out. Bars are wonderful....they are easy to make and versatile. You can serve it with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, take it to a potluck, grab a few for a picnic, have it as an afternoon snack, or share it with a friend.

I tried not to change too many things with the recipe, except that I used some ground oatmeal instead of the almond flour. I am sure the almond flour would have been great...except that I didn't have any on hand. Using oatmeal was just fine. Actually, we really liked it! Oh, I also added some orange peel:)...but that is totally optional. Since I had quite a bit of bananas sitting in my freezer, I doubled the recipe. I used a large cookie sheet (11x17). Not knowing if that size would be ok, I kept looking through the oven door. I was wondering if it would spill over as it baked! At one point, I panicked:)...I thought I would have a mess, but it was just right!

You can probably cut down on some of the sugar in the recipe, substitute some whole wheat, and omit the chocolate(but that would be a shame, 'cause bananas and chocolate go ever so well together:)!) Hope you too will enjoy this recipe...

You will need: adapted from eatingwelllivingthin blog. Makes 16 bars.

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup ground oatmeal (or almond flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups sugar( I think I will cut down on the sugar, next time)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
1 cup chocolate chips
2-3 tsps grated orange zest(optional)
1/2-1 tsp almond extract (optional, but really goes well)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Grind oatmeal in blender until fine. Don't worry too much if you can't get it extra fine...it will be ok. You should have a 1/2 cup ground oatmeal.



2. Coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray( I don't use... but like to use parchment paper...so I won't have any surprises).
3. In a medium bowl combine the flour, ground oatmeal, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl cream together the butter and the sugar until fluffy.
5. Beat in the egg, vanilla, orange zest.



6. Add the mashed banana until well mixed.
7. Beat in the flour mixture just until incorporated.



8. Fold in the chocolate chips.



9. Pour batter into prepared pan. Batter is a bit thick, so spread it out evenly.


10. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden and moist crumbs adhere to a toothpick inserted in the middle.


Do not over-bake.


6 comments:

Sailaja Damodaran said...

amazing must give a try

Ellie said...

Sailaja,
Thank you so much for your comments and for being such a faithful follower:)

Amanda said...

Oh these look wonderful! Banana is one of my faves :)

Ellie said...

Hi Amanda!
I think you will really like these. I like the bars...a bit different from banana bread. Hope you like it too. Thanks for stopping by:)

Anonymous said...

This was wonderful

Veronica

Ellie said...

Veronica, Thank you so much for your feedback... so glad you liked it:)!