If I told you how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I've eaten in the last two weeks, you might just stop reading this blog. You'd probably shake your head and judge me more than just a little. I went through loaves of bread. Loaves, people.
This recipe is definitely pregnancy-craving inspired. It combines the best parts of two things I love. You get warm, hearty oatmeal mixed with the flavors of crunchy peanut butter and sweet blackberry preserves. Maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon add their two cents to the mix as well.
PB&J Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients:
-2 and 1/2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-1 cup crunchy peanut butter
-1/4 cup berry preserves (plus more for dollops later)
-2 cups milk
-1/4 cup maple syrup
-1 egg
-2 teaspoons vanilla
-2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
1. Mix oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, melt butter, peanut butter, and jelly and stir until combined. Add maple syrup and vanilla to the mixture and stir.
3. In a small bowl, whisk egg and milk together. Pour and stir this into the peanut butter mixture.
4. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until combined.
5. Pour into an 8x8 non-stick pan. (Note: There is a lot of liquid at this point, so don't let that throw you.)
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes. (I had to put mine back in after 35 minutes because the bottom was still a little too mushy.) **After baking 25 minutes, add 9 little dollops of jam/preserves to the pan. If you do this too soon, the jam will sink to the bottom. Return to the oven and continue baking.
7. Allow to cool several minutes before cutting into 9 squares.
My first two bars were enjoyed with the obvious beverage choice, a tall glass of milk. The
Every time I've tried to "get into tea" I end up disappointed. I'll buy several types of tea (maybe even a new tea pot), add some honey, and try to convince myself that I'm enjoying it. But when I'm finally being honest, I admit it just tastes bitter. I stare at the mostly full cup wishing it was coffee instead. This changed recently when I gave tea one more shot with "Constant Comment". It has flavors of oranges and spices and actually tastes good. I can't make it too strong, or the bitter taste shows up. I steep it for a couple minutes and add a generous spoonful of honey.
The fact that I'm not pretending and actually enjoy a cup of tea feels like a milestone in my adult life. Yes, I can be a dainty and sophisticated beverage consumer after all. (However, if a double latte just happened to show up, I can't promise that I wouldn't abandon the tea in a heartbeat.)
Q: Is there something you've tried to like because "everyone else does" or you thought you should?
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Linked up with...
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/
http://petitehermine.blogspot.com/
http://diyshowoff.com/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/
http://www.thisgalcooks.com/
http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/
http://www.nap-timecreations.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/
Pb&j are one of my favorite foods. I'm also a little (ok a lot) addicted to toast with peanut butter, honey, and banana slices. I eat it almost every day for lunch. At least irks healthy lol -Jen
ReplyDeleteIt's those simple snacks that we used have as kids that seem to be the ones we end up going back to, right?
DeleteThose oatmeal bars look like a nice option for a homemade granola-type bar -- I'm wondering about adding chopped nuts.
ReplyDeleteI've been a tea drinker since my teens. I cannot handle coffee, for exactly the reason you dislike tea: too bitter! But then, I don't sweeten my beverages, and I seldom use milk. (Lattes are like drinking melted ice cream to me: ew!) So if you find teas too bitter, there are a number of possible reasons:
1) too much tea, steeped for too long. Try cutting back both the amount of tea, and the time you steep it. For black teas, 4 minutes is usually good; for green ones, pour a bit of cold water over the leaves first and then add the boiling water, and steep for 3 minutes. If it's too strong, steep it less -- there's no "right" time or temperature.
2) wrong tea. Standard supermarket teas like traditional Lipton tend to be more bitter than higher-quality blends -- they have more tannins, too, and dry out the inside of your mouth. I can't drink any of those (Lipton, Red Rose, etc) without milk. Since you like Constant Comment, which is strong but also strongly flavored, you could try either something strong that takes milk/honey well (like an Assam) or something mild with a fruit or floral blended in (Republic of Tea's Blackberry Sage might work). Don't go green (it can be grassy and astringent), but you might like an herbal tea. Rooibos teas have a strong, mellow flavor, and can be good with milk. Avoid hibiscus-based teas; they're sweet-tart.
3) wrong tastes! If you like sweet, rich beverages like lattes, tea might not really be for you (except maybe a chai latte). It's just milder, unless you overbrew it, which makes it bitter. So too much milk or sweetener overwhelms everything but a strong, mellow malty tea like an Assam.
I fear this comment may sound hectoring, but I promise that I'm not trying to proselytize! I just like tea (and I talk a lot). On the other hand, I have never developed a taste for such "grown-up" beverages as coffee, wine or beer -- and while it doesn't occur to me to change at home, it can definitely be a little awkward when I'm the only one at the table (or the bar) without a glass of wine.
Elizabeth, this is a tea education!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such great tips. The Blackberry Sage sounds wonderful. Also, I almost picked up the Rooibos tea but put it back. It's next on my list to try, thanks to you.
DeleteI didn't mention that the only tea I've ever really loved is what my dad makes, traditional Indian chai that he grew up with. He's made this every night for as long as I can remember. He uses a whole milk base (with some evaporated milk added in), black tea leaves, whole cardamom, and other spices. He used to add quite a bit of sugar too. It was so rich, spicy, and thick that any other chai I've had just doesn't compare. Again, this just proves that I'm not a "true tea drinker" since what I enjoy has to be so doctored up.
Maybe my tea journey is just beginning.
BTW-Don't feel bad about not liking the "grown up drinks". They can be an expensive habit!
I have to say coffee....BUT WAIT, since having my second child (now 1) - I invested in a fabulous coffee machine, learnt how to make it properly with freshly ground beans and I am converted...
ReplyDeletenectarandstone.blogspot.com
Donna
Ahh, a coffee convert. The prep method makes a huge difference.
DeleteHave you ever tried single origin coffee? My husband got me into it. They are so flavorful that I can actually enjoy a cup without cream! (Now, I really love my cream in regular coffee.) Single origins can be a bit more expensive but are so flavorful.
I am totally not pregnant, but could definitely eat peanutbutter sammiches every day for the rest of my life. Those bars looks yummy -- and I am not even a jam fan!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I am definitely not a coffee or tea convert (surprising given my profession in healthcare!).
You could easily leave out the jam and add Nutella or just leave them as PB oatmeal bars.
DeleteI became a coffee drinker out of necessity, and now I'm hooked. It is surprising you haven't fallen prey to the coffee addiction is you work long shifts!
These look awesome. I have a (probably stupid) question... do you melt the peanut butter and jelly too, or just the butter? My son prefers almond butter - can you think of any reason why that wouldn't work in place of the peanut butter? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNot a stupid question! I melted the butter first, then stirred in the peanut butter and jelly and nuked it a bit more. I think almond butter would work just fine!
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