Banana Caramel Quinoa Bars

 

I know these may seem a little dull to look at but, trust me, they are not dull when it comes to flavor or texture.

They are a lovely combination of crumbly and squishy, and the flavor is reminiscent of bananas foster crossed with a fruit crisp.

Initially I was trying to copy a date square but use bananas instead of dates. A few little additions here, a few switches there and, voila, new invention.

 

 

Banana Caramel Quinoa Bars

 

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups flour

3/4 cup quinoa flakes (you can sub oats)

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup butter, chilled

 

Filling

1 cup mashed banana

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup caramel sauce

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 375. Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper, spray lightly with cooking spray, set aside.

Combine flour, quinoa flakes, brown sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Press 1/2 of the crumbs into the prepared pan, pressing firmly.

 

 

Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Prepare filling: combine banana, egg, vanilla, and caramel sauce until well blended.

Pour over bottom crust and spread out evenly.

 

 

Crumble the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the filling.

 

 

Bake at 375 for approx 35 minutes, until golden brown.

 

 

Remove from heat and let cool completely. Using parchment paper, lift bar out of the pan and cut into squares.

 

 

Very easy, very tasty, very quick. One of those recipes that would come in handy if you had to take something to a party at the last minute. From start to finish in under an hour, and then it just has to cool off - which you can speed up by placing in the fridge.

If you don't have quinoa flakes then you can easily sub in quick oats.

 

Be sure to visit Or So She Says  and The Chicken Chicks and Love Bakes Good Cakes for some great links!