Thursday, May 2, 2013

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!

5 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you! I love the banana/caramel combo :)

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  2. These look delicious. I can't wait to try them.
    Debi and Charly

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  3. This sounds like a great after school snack for my children! I can't wait to try this:)

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  4. I think I am the only person in the world who has never tried quinoa! These bars sound great :) Thank you so much for sharing at last week's All my Bloggy Friends :) I can't wait to see what you share this week!

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