Chewy bars with matcha, cranberries, oats, and a crisp crumble topping for a nourishing bite.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup whole wheat flour
03 - ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
04 - 2 tbsp culinary grade matcha powder
05 - ½ tsp baking soda
06 - ¼ tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
08 - ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 large egg
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Filling & Add-ins
11 - 1 cup dried cranberries
12 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
13 - Zest of 1 orange (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, honey or maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until fully blended.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. The mixture will be slightly crumbly but should hold when pressed.
05 - Gently fold in dried cranberries, nuts, and orange zest if using.
06 - Reserve ¾ cup of the mixture for the crumble topping. Press the remaining mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
07 - Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the base, pressing gently to adhere.
08 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes until edges are golden and the top is set.
09 - Allow to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and slicing into 12 bars.
