Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Berry Cobbler Squares

My kids do not get cute little creative lunches or sandwiches cut into shapes.
Heck, I am a night owl, so quick thinking and lunch packing
in the early morning is really not my thing.
Thankfully, I am developing a go-to roster of "acceptable" menu items.
One of their favorite snacks are these Berry Cobbler Squares.


A few month sago I was watching the Pioneer Woman on Food Network
- only my second time watching -
but she made Strawberry Oatmeal Bars and I thought
"I must try this!"
Of course they were a hit.
Over the next few months I made some adjustments to the recipe
and my husband one day actually said 
- remember this is the man who once said "baking may not be your thing" - 
declared these were better than the original. WHAT!?

So...here is my one note...
I have been trying to reduce the amount of butter in this recipe.
I played around by incorporating applesauce and butter.
The taste was GREAT...but they were a teeny tiny bit crumbly.
At the bottom of the recipe, you can see my notes, just in case you want to try it. 


BERRY COBBLER SQUARES
(adapted from The Pioneer Woman on Food Network

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 3/4 Sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces...PLUS a bit more for buttering the pan
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (you can use All-Purpose flour, but the whole wheat adds a nutty rich taste)
  • 1 1/2 cups oatmeal
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 Cups Frozen berries 
MAKE IT!
  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • Place 3 cups of frozen berries (or fresh) in a sauce pan on low heat and cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally - just until they are soft but still hold their shape. Of course you can cook them down further if you prefer. My family prefers the whole fruit texture.
  • Combine butter, brown sugar, and vanilla in a mixer. Mix until combined
  • In a separate bowl whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg.
  • Check you berries!
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients - mix to combine
  • Add the oats to the mixture.
  • Layer about one half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the pan, spreading it out into an even layer.
  • If your berries have a lot of liquid, strain out the liquid or use a slotted spoon to reduce the amount of liquid.
  • Spoon the berries evenly over the bottom layer of oatmeal.

  • Use the remaining half of the oatmeal mixture and spread it as evenly as possible on top - mine is always a little more cobbler looking and uneven.

  • Bake for 35-40 minutes and then let cool completely before cutting into squares.

BUTTER AND APPLESAUCE MIXTURE
As mentioned I have been trying to reduce the amount of butter. This was still a little crumbly, but not too bad...so here is how I reduced the butter "a little bit."
  • Butter: Use one stick (1/2 cup)
  • Applesauce: 1/2 cup applesauce
  • Mix together
  • Increase the oatmeal to 2 1/2 cups 
  • Follow the other directions as above with these changes.
 


Signature 
This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

11 comments:

  1. These look fabulous Holly! FYI....mind don't get cute little lunches either! ;) these would be great to try and have around!

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  2. Those sound really great ... my kids would love to find those in their lunchboxes.

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  3. This looks amazing!! I seriously just printed it so I can make it soon. :)

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  4. Despite having already had lunch, your post is making me think of a second lunch. Those look super Holly.

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  5. These bars look so good! I am going to try them real soon. I am an avid collector of recipes and cook books and I love to bake. Can't wait to try these out on my husband who loves strawberries. Thanks so much for sharing this!

    Lynn

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  6. Ok, so I had to giggle a little. You and I are so alike...I am such a night owl so my kids never get cute lunches either. I love that you have been playing around with your baking. I remember a couple of years ago when I first started reading your blog and you never had any recipes like this. I am so PROUD!!!! Good job on the bars...I think they look great and I sure wish I had some to eat :-)

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  7. These sound so yummy. I love how you did the chalkboard underneath!

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  8. Wow.. So nice work. Yummy yummy.. I would like to taste all these. Holly Lefevre, also try some other tips about buying beautiful furniture from Online Furniture Store or a Furniture Store .

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  9. Amazing work. I sure wish I had some to eat :-)

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  10. I adore berry cobbler! Thanks for the recipe!!

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  11. Mmmm...they sound wonderful! Did you save some for me? ;-)

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!