Experience the joy of baking with these delightful passion bars. A perfect blend of oats, flour, brown sugar, butter, and baking soda forms the crust of these bars, while a creamy mix of sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter adds a heavenly layer. Topped off with semisweet chocolate chips, these bars will surely satisfy your sweet cravings.
Most of these ingredients should be readily available in your pantry. However, sweetened condensed milk and semisweet chocolate chips might be items you need to put on your shopping list. Sweetened condensed milk is a canned milk product in which water has been removed and sugar has been added. It's located in the baking aisle of most supermarkets. Semisweet chocolate chips, a type of dark chocolate, are also found in the baking aisle.
Ingredients for Passion Bars
Quick cooking oats: These oats are perfect for baking as they cook faster and absorb more liquid compared to regular oats.
All-purpose flour: The base for most baked goods, it provides structure to the bars.
Brown sugar: Adds a sweet, molasses-like flavor to the bars.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, making the bars rise and become tender.
Butter: Gives the bars a rich and buttery flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk: This thick and sweet milk adds a creamy texture to the bars.
Peanut butter: Adds a nutty and creamy flavor that complements the sweetness of the bars.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: These bring a balanced, slightly bitter chocolate flavor to contrast with the sweetness of the bars.
One reader, Britte Miles says:
I absolutely love the passion bars recipe! The combination of oats, peanut butter, and chocolate is simply divine. It's easy to make and the bars turn out so delicious. They're the perfect treat for any occasion and always a hit with my family and friends. Highly recommended!
Techniques Required for Making Passion Bars
How to prepare the crust: Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 ½ cups of the crumbs and pat the rest evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
How to spread the peanut butter layer: In a medium bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until well combined. Spread the mixture evenly over the oatmeal layer in the pan.
How to sprinkle the chocolate chips: Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips over the peanut butter layer.
How to crumble the reserved crust over the top: Crumble the reserved 1 ½ cups of crust mixture over the chocolate chips.
How to bake the bars: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars are golden brown.
How to cool and cut the bars: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into individual bars.
How To Make Passion Bars
Grab some oatmeal, condensed milk, and peanut butter, We are going to make sweet passion bars. These dessert bars are great for afternoon snacks! Try it!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2cupsquick cooking oats
- 1cupall-purpose flour
- 1cupbrown sugar
- ½tspsalt
- ½tspbaking soda
- ¾cupbuttersoftened
- 14ozsweetened condensed milk
- ¾cuppeanut butter
- 1cupsemisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
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In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Cut in the butter to form a crumbly mixture. Reserve 1 ½ cups of the crumbs, and pat the rest evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
-
In a medium bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter. Spread evenly over the oatmeal layer.
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Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the peanut butter layer, then crumble the reserved crust over the top.
-
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Nutrition
- Calories: 279.25kcal
- Fat: 14.44g
- Saturated Fat: 6.83g
- Trans Fat: 0.24g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.99g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.70g
- Carbohydrates: 33.92g
- Fiber: 2.35g
- Sugar: 19.65g
- Protein: 6.20g
- Cholesterol: 20.87mg
- Sodium: 100.67mg
- Calcium: 67.77mg
- Potassium: 203.74mg
- Iron: 1.30mg
- Vitamin A: 60.76µg
- Vitamin C: 0.43mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Passion Bars Recipe
When making these passion bars, it's important to ensure that the butter is properly cut into the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda mixture. This will create a crumbly texture that is essential for the crust of the bars. To achieve this, the butter should be cold and cut into small pieces before being added to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This will ensure an even distribution of butter throughout the crust, resulting in a perfectly baked, crumbly and delicious base for your passion bars.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Passion Bars Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare the dry ingredients the night before and store them in an airtight container. This will save time and make the baking process more efficient.
Use a food processor: Use a food processor to quickly mix the crust ingredients, saving time and effort compared to traditional hand mixing.
Organize your ingredients: Before you start, gather all the ingredients and tools you need. This will help you work more efficiently and avoid any last-minute scrambling.
Bake multiple batches: If you have a large crowd to feed, consider doubling the recipe and baking in multiple batches to save time in the long run.
Clean as you go: Wash dishes and clean up spills as you work to avoid a big mess at the end. This will make the post-baking cleanup much quicker.
Pre-cut bars: Once the bars are cooled, pre-cut them into portions before serving to save time and make serving easier.
Substitute Ingredients For Passion Bars Recipe
quick cooking oats - Substitute with rolled oats: Rolled oats can be used as a substitute for quick cooking oats, although they will provide a heartier texture to the bars.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour can be used as a healthier alternative to all-purpose flour, adding a nuttier flavor and more fiber to the bars.
brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a substitute for brown sugar, providing a similar sweetness with a hint of caramel flavor.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter, adding a subtle coconut flavor to the bars.
sweetened condensed milk - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative to sweetened condensed milk, providing a rich and creamy texture to the bars.
peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter can be used as a substitute for peanut butter, offering a slightly different nutty flavor to the bars.
semisweet chocolate chips - Substitute with dark chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips can be used as a substitute for semisweet chocolate chips, providing a deeper and more intense chocolate flavor to the bars.
Passion Bars Recipe: Best Presentation Ideas
Elevate the plating: When presenting the passion bars, focus on creating an elegant and visually appealing presentation. Use clean lines and precise placement of the bars to showcase the layers and textures.
Incorporate artistic drizzling: Enhance the visual appeal by incorporating a delicate drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate ganache on the plate. This adds a touch of sophistication and artistry to the overall presentation.
Garnish with fresh berries: Add a pop of color and freshness to the plate by garnishing with a selection of fresh berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also complements the flavors of the passion bars.
Utilize edible flowers: Elevate the presentation by incorporating delicate and edible flowers, such as pansies or violets, to add a touch of elegance and a hint of floral fragrance to the dish.
Create a contrast with powdered sugar: Dust the plate with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar to create a beautiful contrast and add a subtle sweetness to the presentation.
Incorporate a tempered chocolate garnish: Create a sophisticated touch by incorporating a carefully crafted tempered chocolate garnish. This adds a professional and artistic element to the overall presentation.
Consider the use of gold leaf: For an extra touch of luxury and elegance, consider incorporating delicate and edible gold leaf to add a shimmering and opulent finish to the passion bars.
Present on a sleek, modern plate: Choose a sleek and modern plate to present the passion bars, allowing the focus to remain on the intricate layers and textures of the dessert.
Essential Tools for Making Passion Bars
- Oven: An essential appliance for baking and roasting dishes.
- 9x13-inch baking pan: A standard-sized baking pan suitable for a variety of recipes.
- Large bowl: Used for mixing and combining ingredients.
- Medium bowl: Ideal for preparing smaller amounts of ingredients or for mixing sauces and dressings.
- Spatula: A versatile tool for spreading, smoothing, and lifting ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurately measuring ingredients for baking and cooking.
- Knife: Used for cutting and chopping various ingredients.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Whisk: Used for blending and incorporating ingredients together.
- Cooling rack: Allows baked goods to cool evenly and prevents sogginess.
Storing and Freezing Passion Bars: A Guide
Allow the passion bars to cool completely before storing them. This will prevent them from becoming soggy or sticky.
Once cooled, cut the passion bars into your desired size and shape.
Place the cut passion bars in an airtight container, separating each layer with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
Store the container of passion bars at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
If you want to store the passion bars for a longer period, you can freeze them:
- Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, ensuring a tight seal.
- Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy reference.
- Freeze the passion bars for up to 3 months.
To thaw frozen passion bars, remove them from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about an hour, or until they reach your desired consistency.
If you prefer a slightly warmed passion bar, you can microwave a thawed bar for 10-15 seconds before enjoying it.
How To Reheat Passion Bar Leftovers
The best way to reheat leftover passion bars is to place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and heat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through and slightly crispy on the edges. This method helps to restore the texture of the oats and keeps the chocolate chips melted and gooey.
Another option is to microwave individual bars on a microwave-safe plate for 15-20 seconds, or until just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the peanut butter layer to become too soft and the chocolate chips to burn.
For a quicker and more convenient method, you can also reheat the passion bars in an air fryer. Place the bars in a single layer in the air fryer basket and heat at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside.
If you prefer a softer texture, you can wrap the passion bars in aluminum foil and place them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are heated through. This method helps to keep the bars moist and prevents them from drying out.
For a more indulgent treat, try reheating the passion bars in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small amount of butter. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until the bars are warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside. The added butter will give the bars a rich, caramelized flavor and a deliciously crispy texture.
Interesting Fact About Passion Bars
Passion bars are a delicious treat that combines the rich flavors of peanut butter, chocolate, and oats. These bars are a perfect balance of sweet and savory, making them a popular choice for dessert or a snack. They are easy to make and can be stored for several days, making them a convenient option for a quick and tasty treat. Whether you're a fan of peanut butter or chocolate, these passion bars are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Is Making Passion Bars at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this passion bars recipe is quite high. The ingredients are commonly found in households, making it a budget-friendly option. The use of oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chips provides a good balance of nutrition and indulgence. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $10-$15, making it an affordable treat. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Are Passion Bars Healthy or Unhealthy?
The passion bars recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main culprits are the high amounts of butter, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk, which contribute to the recipe's high calorie and fat content. Additionally, the use of all-purpose flour and quick cooking oats means that the bars are lacking in fiber and other essential nutrients.
However, with a few simple tweaks, this recipe can be made healthier without sacrificing taste:
- Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and nutrients
- Reduce the amount of brown sugar by 1/4 cup and replace the sweetened condensed milk with a low-fat or fat-free version
- Swap out half of the butter for unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas to reduce the fat content
- Use natural peanut butter instead of regular peanut butter to avoid added sugars and oils
- Opt for dark chocolate chips, which contain less sugar and more antioxidants than semisweet chips
- Add in some chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, for a boost of healthy fats and protein
Editor's Opinion on the Passion Bars Recipe
This passion bars recipe is a delightful combination of sweet and salty flavors, with a satisfying crunch from the oats and a rich, creamy texture from the peanut butter and condensed milk. The layers of ingredients create a harmonious balance, and the chocolate chips add a decadent touch. The recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it a great option for both novice and experienced bakers. The end result is a batch of irresistible bars that are perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying as a special treat for yourself.
Enhance Your Passion Bars Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Passion Bars Recipe:
This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, combining the wholesome goodness of oats and the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate chips. The use of sweetened condensed milk adds a luscious creaminess, while the butter ensures a perfect golden brown crust. With a perfect balance of sweet and savory, these passion bars are a delightful treat for any occasion. Trust in the harmonious blend of ingredients and the simple yet effective baking method to deliver a delectable result every time.
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