Oatmeal Berry Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour, divided
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup, divided
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup flaxseed
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 2 ½ cups quick cook oats
• 2 tablespoons apple or orange juice
• 3 ½ cups (18 oz) fresh blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries (I’m partial to the blackberries)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 9x13 inch pan.
2. Add 1 cup flour, ½ cup maple syrup, and salt to a food processor. Pulse once or twice to combine.
3. Add the coconut oil and pulse 5-6 more times until coarse crumbs form.
4. Add the oats and pulse 2-3 more times. Remove 1 ½ cups of the mixture and set it aside.
5. Add the juice to remaining mixture and pulse 3-4 more times until moistened. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan using the bottom of a measuring cup (mixture sticks to you if you use your fingers).
6. For the filling, mix together the 2 T flour and salt in a medium-size bowl. Add 2 T syrup, fruit and lemon juice and gently toss the mixture. Distribute the filling over the crust.
7. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the filling.
8. Bake about 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown.
9. Let the pan cool. Eat or store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Do Ahead Prep