BUCKWHEAT OAT BARS WITH SPICED CRANBERRY-APPLE COMPOTE

There’s nothing more healing than holiday baking.  When the weather starts to drop & the christmas lights come up -  It’s my favorite time of year.  These oat bars are my new favorite holiday treat, easily eaten for breakfast, dessert or anything in between.  The cranberries make this extra festive for Winter weather and holidays, but you can use any kind of fruit compote (or preserve!).  For your Christmas morning, holiday gatherings and beyond…

buckwheat oat bars with spiced cranberry apple compote (gluten-free) makes 16-18 bars

  • 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup almond flour

  • 1/2 cup buckwheat flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthum gum

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil or butter, melted and cooled

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Cranberry Apple Compote:

  • 12 oz. cranberries

  • 1 green apple, peeled and diced

  • 2 inch piece ginger, peeled and minced

  • 1 vanilla bean, de-seeded

  • 3/4 cup filtered water

  • 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed

  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 2 teaspoons orange zest

  • Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Make cranberry compote: add all ingredients to a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil, then lower to medium heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or cranberries have broken down and mixture is thick.  Remove from heat to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together oats, flours, baking powder, salt, xanthum gum and spices. 

In another small mixing bowl, whisk together egg, coconut oil or butter, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. 

Mix wet ingredients into dry, mixing well until dough looks like oatmeal cookie dough. 

Add 3/4 of oat mixture to a greased 8x8 or round tart pan, using your hand to press batter evenly.  Add about 1 heaping cup of cranberry compote over top, using a silicon spatula to evenly disperse.  Then sprinkle the top with the last amount of oat mixture.  

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until oat topping is browned.  Set aside to cool, then serve warm or chill before cutting into squares.

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SPICED APPLE BREAKFAST CAKE WITH OAT STREUSEL

I'm definitely one for a savory breakfast (eggs, avocado toast, etc), but as soon as it starts to get cooler, I crave a sweet one now and then.  With apple season in full effect, I know a lot of us are trying to get rid of apples in as many recipes as possible.  This breakfast cake goes great with any fruit, but seasonal apples are a winner. It's perfectly sweet and nutty with the most delicious oat topping.  It's somewhere in between a light dessert and breakfast, but either way - I promise you'll enjoy it.

SPICED APPLE BREAKFAST CAKE WITH OAT STREUSEL (gluten-free) serves 6

  • 3/4 cup almond flour or meal
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted & cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk
  • 2 large apples (honeycrisp or granny smith, or your preference), peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • freshly ground nutmeg to taste

TOPPING:

  • 1/2 cup gluten-free oats
  • 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 taplespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Sprinkle of sea salt
  • Raw sugar, to top

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Whisk together first six ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  In separate mixing bowl, mix together butter, vanilla, eggs, almond milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and apples.  Slowly mix in the dry ingredients to the wet, adding a little at a time until all is well-combined without lumps.  

Pour cake batter into a greased 9x9 cake pan.  Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.  In the meantime, combine oats, walnuts, maple syrup, cinnamon, butter and sea salt in a medium mixing bowl.  Using your hands, mix together mixture well until cookie dough-like texture and well-combined. 

Top chilled cake with crumb topping, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and raw sugar. then bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into the center of the cake comes out clean.  Cool for 20-25 minutes before serving.