Breakfast Bars (Healthy and Delicious!)

Breakfast bars are a favorite in this house but with them costing $3 each at the local bakery, they are a rare treat.  This always bothered me because they are super healthy (as far as wheat based go) and easily incorporate the seasonal fruit.  So I was so excited to receive an email from an out of town farmer's market with a recipe for breakfast bars!  Wahoo!

We didn't have everything exactly and I knew that incorporating oats was not an option for Rita, so the following recipe is a nice twist on the recipe I received.  The original comes from Sol y Luna Bakery. Click HERE for the recipe they emailed me.

Let me say, Tyler commented how quickly I put these together (exciting for both of us!), asked for them on numerous occasions and I think these have become a staple for our freezer.  We love yummy breakfast bars!

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter (1/4 lb)
1/2 - 3/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat flour
1 cup bread flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 - 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 - 2 cups fruit of your choice

Time to Bake:

1. Grease a 9x9 pan with yummy butter
2. Preheat your oven to 325/350F (325 for glass)
3. Mash berries in a separate bowl and set aside for later
4. Cream butter and brown sugar (by hand or with mixer - if by hand make sure butter is at room temp)
5. Add flour and baking soda and stir until totally incorporated
6. Stir in coconut and water by hand
7. Press a little less than half of batter into pan (slightly messy, don't seek perfection here)
8. Lay (again, messy) mashed berries over batter in pan (spread evenly as possible)
9. Add top layer of batter (use remaining batter)
10. Bake 30 minutes (or until lightly golden brown on top)
11. Pull out yogurt to top your bars with, juice, plates, cups and gather the hungry folk in your home 
12. Remove and slice after 20 minutes (or just slightly warm to touch - so worth the wait!)

These freeze fabulously!  Make some this weekend (they're coming with us on vacation) - and just a tip - I have to make a double batch every time!  We have had great success with frozen blueberries, fresh strawberries and the two mixed.  Let me know what you try!

Sorry there are no pictures!  Rita has made packing an interesting adventure.  She is currently putting a block in the glass of water on my nightstand...fun right?