Vegan-Kid Raspberry Oatmeal Treat Bars

One of the many things I love about children is there honesty. If they don’t like something, they tell you.
If you really want to know if you look fat in what your wearing. Ask a toddler! They’ll set you straight.

Ouch! That was harsh, little dude!

I wanted to make something “kid approved” for my sweet little guy. Something that could be a treat but was still made out of pure ingredients. We’re SO over giving him M&M’s as a reward. He needed a treat bar.

Recently I watched an episode of Pioneer Woman where she was making some treat bars for her family. I was so inspired that I decided to make my own version. Thanks, Ree!!

Vegan-Kid Raspberry Oatmeal Treat Bars

Makes 16 bars

PPV: 5 points per bar
Protein: 5 grams

1 stick of Vegan butter (I used Earth Balance), cubed
1 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 cup Oats
3/4 cup Dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup organic plain soy milk, optional
12 oz. Simply Fruit Red Raspberry Preserves, heated in microwave slightly to assist with spreading.*

*You could use any flavor your children enjoy! I used simply fruit brand because it’s naturally sweetened with fruit juice versus synthetic sweetener or high fructose corn syrup. Feel free to BYOV (Be Your Own Vegan!) here though!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13″ rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray. Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla extract. Mix well! I used a pastry cutter to speed this process.

It should look something like this when all is combined. Add up to 1/4 cup of plain soy milk if it seems too dry.

With wet hands, press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan.

Dollop and spread with warmed red raspberry preserves. It doesn’t have to be perfect. These bars are very forgiving.

Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and lightly pat. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Let cool completely and then cut into 16 bars. There a bit crumbly but overall they hold together nicely. I store mine in easy to use Ziploc baggies. Perfect for on the go!

And what did the kid think??

This was my, “Hmmm?? Huh? Huh? Do ya?” face. He ate it all and asked for more!! Exactly, the response I was looking for. I told him they were treat bars for when he’s a good boy and he said, “Oh I wanna be a good boy, mama!”

Ah, sweet thing.

*sigh*