Dark chocolate chunk oatmeal bars ♥

 

 

Hello Friends! It's September!  Two weeks ago (where does time go?) I made these dark chocolate chunk oatmeal bars that I promised to share with you.  I was scanning Pinterest the night before school started because I wanted to make a treat to celebrate.  Also, I couldn't sleep.  It wasn't even ME going to school, but I had the butterflies.  Crazy.  Anyhow, I came across these bars that looked so delicious I couldn't resist. 

 

That morning I brought John to school for his first day, came home, and made these bars. 

 

 

 

 

recipe courtesy of www.halfbakedharvest.com

 

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup coconut oil, melted (if needed you may sub canola oil)

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

8 oz dark chocolate, chopped into chunks (about 1 1/2 cups)

 

 

 

 

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease a 9x13 baking dish or line with parchment paper

 

In a large mixing bowl blend together the oatmeal, flours, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla.  Beat until completely combined and the dough holds together.  Mix in about 1 cup of the chocolate. 

 

Turn half the batter out into prepared pan, pushing the dough into the pan evenly.  Sprinkle on the rest of the chocolate, and then press the remaining half of the dough over the chunks.  

 

Bake for about 20-25 minutes.  Allow bars to cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. 

 

*This was my first time baking with coconut oil, and I have to say it gave the bars a slight coconut taste which I really liked.  However if you are not a fan of coconut the just use canola oil instead.  I also stored my bars in the fridge.  The chocolate is gooey and having them refrigerated kept everything at a perfect texture and consistency.  And lastly, if you don't have whole wheat flour, I see no reason why you couldn't just use two cups of all-purpose flour ♥

 

 

 

 

The bars were perfect with my afternoon tea. I brought one to work everyday for a week.  And the dark chocolate really hit the spot! Over the course of a week they were packed in lunches and in one case - crumbed up an put over ice cream! : )

 

 

 

 

The bars weren't even fully cooled yet and it was time for pick up.  And so it began....

 

A new season ♥

 

The first day of school came and went.  Easy as pie.  Third grade is off to a terrific start! 

Not even one butterfly.  I'm so jealous! (I didn't sleep a wink! LOL)

 

 

 

 

Also, that day the Fall decorations came out (even though it was 85 degrees!).

 

 

 

 

And this week I discovered the beauty of slow cooker apple pie oatmeal.  Oh ya - it's a thing!

Another reason why I love my crock pot!

 

 

So light your favorite Fall scented candle...there are so many to pick from....

And enjoy the beauty of this glorious season, which just so happens to be my favorite ♥

 

It didn't take long to get back into the usual swing of things.  Funny how that happens. 

It's a good thing.

 

By the way....our Disney trip was SO MUCH FUN!!!!  On our way home we were planning our next visit back!  

(a Disney post with pictures to come!!! )

 

I hope you all are enjoying these early day of fall. xo