Soft Oat & Nut Bars

Ingredients

• 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats $0.30
• 1 cup whole wheat flour $0.38
• 1 tsp baking powder $0.09
• ¼ tsp salt $0.02
• 1 tsp cinnamon $0.05
• ⅓ cup brown sugar $0.11
• ¼ cup (1/2 stick) room temperature butter $0.58
• 1 large egg $0.17
• 1 tsp vanilla extract $0.28
• 1 cup plain or vanilla soy milk $0.41
• ⅓ cup chopped walnuts $0.88
• ⅓ cup sweetened shredded coconut $0.26

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the brown sugar and butter until the mixture is light and creamy (about 2 minutes, medium speed). Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until light and creamy again (30 seconds to one minute).
3. Add half of the oat and flour mixture and beat briefly, just until combined. Start on low speed to prevent the flour from flying out of the bowl.
4. Add the soy milk and beat briefly again until smooth. Always start on low speed to prevent splashing. Add the rest of the flour and oat mixture, and beat until combined (only about 30 seconds).
5. Add the chopped walnuts and coconut. Stir them into the batter. Pour the batter into a 9×9 inch greased casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow the bars to cool and then cut into 9 pieces. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 5-6 days, or freeze for extended storage.

source:budgetbytes.com