Catering with Breakfast Bars
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| Coconut Date Power Breakfast Bars |
I admit I am a true coconut fan, always have been. I cater events throughout the Washington DC and Northern Virginia suburbs and would love to introduce more guests to the wonders of this product. Vaguely healthy and totally delicious, coconut is one of 2016’s “it” ingredients. And the March 2016 issue of Bon Appetit magazine presents multiple recipes showcasing it’s magic. www.bonappetit.com
The following recipe is an excerpt from the magazine, and I can’t wait to put it on one of our catered menus.
Coconut-Date Power Breakfast Bars
Five different types of coconut go into our quintuple-threat breakfast (or snack) bars. Nutrient-dense and sweet enough to satisfy even the youngest members of your household.
Ingredients
Servings: 8
- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- 6 ounces Medjool dates (about 12), pits removed
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats (not quick-cooking)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1¼ cups almonds, divided
- ½ cup room-temperature virgin coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons agave nectar or honey
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon finely grated lime zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Preparation
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Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly coat an 8×8″ baking dish with nonstick spray, then line with 2 sheets of parchment, leaving overhang on all sides. Bring dates and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is almost completely evaporated. Let cool.
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Meanwhile, pulse whole wheat flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and 1 cup almonds in a food processor until almonds are very finely ground, about 1 minute. Add oil, butter, coconut sugar, and 2 Tbsp. agave and pulse to combine. Pulse in sweetened shredded coconut.
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Transfer coconut-oat mixture to baking dish and pack evenly across bottom of dish, tamping and smoothing with the bottom of a dry measuring cup (the more compact it is, the better it will hold together when baked).
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Pulse dates, lime zest, and lime juice in food processor, scraping down sides as needed, until smooth. Spread date purée evenly over coconut-oat mixture, leaving a ½” border around edges.
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Chop remaining ¼ cup almonds and mix in a small bowl with unsweetened coconut flakes, unsweetened shredded coconut, and remaining 2 tsp. agave. Scatter evenly over date purée and press in lightly with your hands. Bake until top and bottom are browned and edges are very firm, 40–45 minutes. Let cool before cutting into eight rectangles.
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Do Ahead: Bars can be baked 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.