Tri-Layer Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

Tri-Layer Chocolate Oatmeal Bars. Just the name alone bears repeating. Tri-Layer Chocolate Oatmeal Bars. Tri-Layer; that means there is three layers of goodness. Chocolate; that means brownie like goodness. Oatmeal; that means healthy goodness. Ok, so not all things with oatmeal are healthy, but it is all about rational (or in some cases irrational) thought. After a quick perusal of the ingredients, however, it turns out that these brownie like bars are all of the above. Made with cocoa powder, applesauce, minimal butter, and oats they are, in fact, healthy. A moment of thanks for whomever created this recipe. Found in a Barnes and Noble's Best Loved Chocolate Recipes Book, we were shocked to see a low-fat treat. Self proclaimed recipe lighteners, we jumped at the chance to make these. Two birthday celebrants gave us just the excuse we needed and off to the kitchen we loped.

Though it's name is mentioned last, the oatmeal comes first in the crust. Combined with a little brown sugar, flour, applesauce, and 1 tablespoon of butter, it is a beautiful way to build a foundation. The filling of cocoa powder, flour, egg whites with a touch of milk, guarantees a light and airy cookie. Then then cheater ganache of cocoa powder and milk with a hint of instant espresso promises a lovely topping.

Finally all this reading and thinking about the recipe translated into our first taste. The espresso in the topping hits first and compliments the cocoa flavor adding an intoxicating boost. The finish is chocolate combined with the earthy-nutty-sweetness of the crust. More cake-like than brownie, these are definitely light. So light ,they actually feel guilt free so much more than they taste, as the flavors seem sinful. We will just keep the low-fat out of our descriptions as we serve these to guests. No one will know, but everyone will rave.

Eat up - this one is one worth making.

Tri-Layer Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Crust:
1 cup uncooked rolled oats
1/2 cup AP flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon margarine, melted
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Filling:
2/3 cup AP flour
1/2 baking powder
1/4 salt
3/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons applesauce
1 egg
1 egg white
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup low-fat or fat-free buttermilk

Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tablespoons skim milk (or more to desired consistency)
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch pan with cooking spray.
2. To prepare crust, in a medium bowl combine all crust ingredients and stir with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
3. To prepare filling, in a small bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, combine sugar, applesauce, egg, egg white, cocoa powder and vanilla. Add flour mixture to applesauce mixture, alternatively with buttermilk. Stir until well blended. Spread filling over baked crust. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick entered near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
4. To prepare icing, in a small bowl combine all icing ingredients and stir until smooth. Spread evenly over prepared bars and let stand until set.

Yield: 14 bars