It’s nice to do things for other people. It’s even nicer when it involves food, and when it’s not a time consuming deed. These little oatmeal bars are a perfect gift. Here’s why:

• 
• They have a short ingredient list.
• They are healthy.
• They are good for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
• They freeze well.
• They are quick to make with few bowls to clean.

I really think this makes for a perfect goodie. Easy on the baker, easy on the recipient. I made two batches–one each for two friends with newborn babies. These little treats would be such a nice gift for new parents who don’t have time to grocery shop or research easy recipes to try. A grab and go bar to eat with one hand seems like a good idea. I’d like to receive something like it! Gifts baked with love are the best.

Chewy Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 C rolled oats
• ¼ C chopped walnuts
• 1/4 C sunflower seeds
• 1/2 C dried fruit (I did raisins in one batch and raisins + apricots in another)
• ¼ C brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 ½ C milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In two separate bowls, mix dry ingredients, then wet ingredients. Pour wet into dry, mixing until combined.
• Pour batter into a square baking dish lined with parchment paper for easy transferring. My dish is 9 x 9.
• Bake 30 minutes. Once cool, cut into bars or squares.

If you are curious about the nutritional info, they are 2 Weight Watchers Points Plus for a square, and 5 PP+ for a bar. The recipe makes 8 bars or 16 squares.

They are most tasty when slathered in peanut butter. For two points (not counting peanut butter), they would be a great little meal ender or something to snack on. I see a third batch in the making.

I saw two similar recipes online, one by Anne and one by Kath. I compared ingredients and instructions and  created my own as the recipe above. Things you could change would be the type of dried fruit and seeds or using chocolate chips.

I loved that these bars were chewy and easy to slice, and not too sweet. A short ingredient list is also nice. These would be so nice to wrap individually and freeze to take when traveling. And I do encourage the use of nut butter slathered on. Makes it last longer.

I boxed up the squares in this box lined with foil on the bottom and tissue paper on top. And tied with a bow.

Since we didn’t get our own batch, I’m off to make another!

What’s your favorite food gift to give?