Ingredients
1½tbspcornstarch
1½tbspwater
2cupsfresh mixed berries,or frozen
¼cuppure maple syrup
1tbspcoconut sugar,or brown sugar, granulated sugar
2½cupsold-fashioned whole rolled oats or quick oats
½tspground cinnamon
1cupalmond butter,or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternative
¼cuppure maple syrup
¼cupunsweetened applesauce
¼cupcoconut oil,melted
½cupalmonds,or any nut, sliced or chopped, for topping
1tbspoats,for topping
Preparation
Whisk the cornstarch and water together until all the cornstarch has dissolved. Place the cornstarch mixture, berries, maple syrup, and coconut sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Using a rubber spatula, stir the mixture as it cooks.
Smash some of the berries against the bottom/sides of the pot while stirring, gently breaking them up. Bring to a simmer and allow to simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove pan from the heat and allow to cool completely. The mixture will thicken as it cools. To speed up the cooling process, feel free to cover and refrigerate it after it slightly cools for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. (It is recommended to make the berry filling in advance so it can cool completely.) Berry filling can be cold or room temperature, not hot or warm, when assembling the bars.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the bars out. Set aside.
Pulse the oats in a food processor or blender until they’re slightly broken up. (For whole oats, about 10 pulses. For quick oats, about 5 to 6 pulses.) Pour into a bowl and stir in the cinnamon, almond butter, maple syrup, applesauce, and melted coconut oil. The mixture will be thick and wet.
Using the back of a flat spatula or a spoon, press about ¾ of the crust/streusel mixture tightly and firmly down into the pan. Make sure it’s flat and very compact, which helps guarantee the bars will hold their shape. Spread cooled berry filling evenly on top.
Mix the sliced almonds into the remaining crust/streusel mixture. Sprinkle all over the top of the berry filling. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of oats evenly on top. (Helps soak up some moisture.)
Bake for about 27 to 31 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned. Remove from the oven and place the baking pan on a cooling rack. Allow bars to cool completely for about 1 hour at room temperature or place the pan in the refrigerator to help speed the cooling up
Lift the cooled bars out using the parchment paper overhang on the sides. Cut into squares. Cover and store leftover bars in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
