It has been so incredibly beautiful here in the Midwest since last weekend, that we have spent a ton of time outside. Last night after getting home from work, we were all outside for two hours until I realized I hadn't even thought about dinner and the kids weren't even complaining that they were hungry.
It's amazing what a little sunshine can do to your life.
Today's high is 78 (in March!) so it's going to be another great day. Work, a lunch date, and possibly dinner on the grill after I do a little grocery shopping. Can't beat it.
Oh, and did I mention these bars?
I was recently contacted by Swanson Vitamins and was given the chance to sample some of their great products for free. In the end I ended up ordering chia seeds (the hubby loves them in his protein shakes!), gluten free oats and organic coconut flour.
The coconut flour I used in these bars. Drool. All over yourself at this point. I did.
After cruising the Swanson website for a long time, I will have to admit it was hard to choose my items. There is SO much good stuff! And what makes it even better is how reasonable the prices are - in my opinion, much better than any health food store.
I did learn something though. Coconut flour can be tricky. Mixing it with other flours creates a great texture, but using just alone will make for a mess. I tried making pancakes out of it one morning, with that flour alone, and it was a lumpy, hard, delicious smelling mess.
Silly me, I just flew into the process without researching it one bit. After reading about it online, EVERYONE said to mix with other flours, so I did.
And my bars turned out delicious. And wonderful. And heavenly all in one.
Chocolate Chip Coconut Flour Bars
1 stick butter, softened
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. brown sugar
3 T. honey
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3/4 c. flour (whole wheat, all-purpose or gluten free)
1/4 c. coconut flour
chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray an 8x8 baking pan. Combine butter, sugars and honey. Mix together dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Press batter into pan (will be a little crumbly) and layer with chocolate chips.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Have you ever used Swanson's products? Or coconut flour?
Look how perfect your chocolate chips are! I've seen coconut flour all over the blog world lately. I'll have to get my hands on some of it asap!
ReplyDeleteThese look wonderful and very worth a go at them!
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, I believe I have that same cookbook! It was my mother's, published in 1961, and I remember looking through all of the wonderful photos and illustrations numerous times as a child! :)
I have bought Swanson products for years now, and have never been disappointed. Good value and good service.
ReplyDeleteToo funny Shelly! I was just given some old cookbooks from my in-laws and just love the vintage look of this one.
ReplyDeleteThese look delicious. I haven't worked with coconut flour yet.
ReplyDeleteLooks good! I have been wanting to find a use for coconut flour ... I actually think I bought some a week or two ago at Bulk Barn with the hopes that I would come across something to use it for :-)
ReplyDelete