Deceptively Delicious Blueberry Oatmeal Bars (With Spinach) YUM!

INTRODUCING

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SERVES 12 (change servings and units)

Ingredients

• nonstick cooking spray
• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup balance trans-fat free margarine, chilled
• 1 cup no-sugar-added blueberry spread
• 1/2 cup spinach, puree

Directions

1. 
   
   
   
   

   1

   Preheat oven to 375.
2. 
   
   
   
   

   2

   Coat an 8"X 8" baking pan with cooking spray.
3. 
   
   
   
   

   3

   In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and vanilla and stir to mix well.
4. 
   
   
   
   

   4

   Add the margarine and cut it quickly into dry ingredients with two knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal and is no longer powdery. Do no overmix--bits of margarine will still be visible.
5. 
   
   
   
   

   5

   Set aside about half the oat mixture; press the rest firmly into the pan. Bake until lightly browned at the edges (but not fully baked), 13 to 15 minutes.
6. 
   
   
   
   

   6

   Meanwhile, mix the preserves with the spinach puree in a small bowl.
7. 
   
   
   
   

   7

   Spread blueberry mixture over the partially baked oat layer, then sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Bake until topping is slightly browned, 20-25 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool completely before cutting into 12 bars.
8. 
   
   
   
   

   8

   Spinach Puree:.
9. 
   
   
   
   

   9

   Steam baby spinach(for mature spinach-remove stems) for about 30-40 seconds or cook in skillet with 1 tablespoons water for about 90 seconds or just until wilted. Puree in food processor or blender for about 2 min until smooth and creamy.

**From the Deceptively Delicious Cookbook 

by Jessica Seinfeld