Pinterest Inspired

Such a wonderfully healthy recipe and of course my Grandma Colvin gene kicked in and the calorie count sky-rocketed. I have no shame. Without the glaze and chocolate drizzle, these bars could actually be a healthy post workout snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. old fashioned oats
• 3/4 c. flour
• 1/3 c. light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 6 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 c. sliced strawberries
• 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp. milk
• 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375*. Line an 8×8″ pan with parchment paper so that the paper hangs over the sides (for retrieval at end).
2. In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, ginger and salt. Melt butter in the microwave and add into oat mixture until clumps form and the ingredients are evenly moistened. Set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture and press the other half into an even layer in the bottom of the parchment paper prepared pan (that’s fun to say).
3. Scatter half the strawberries over the pressed down crumb layer. Sprinkle the cornstarch evenly over the top, then sprinkle the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Scatter the remaining berries, then the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top.
4. Bake the bars for 45-50 minutes, until the fruit is bubbly and the crumb topping looks golden. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerating could set the bars even better.
5. To prepare the glaze: Whisk together the milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Melt the chocolate chips in a small Ziplock bag and snip the end to drizzle over the bars.

Yields 8 bars.

Eat, Bork, & Be Merry!