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Honey Oat Bars for #SundaySupper

Honey Oat Bars | Magnolia Days

There were usually no surprises at lunch. Opening the lunchbox at elementary school gave a familiar assortment. A sandwich made of brown bread, butter, salami, and cheese was the main feature. A small bag of Fritos were beside the sandwich. Underneath the chips was a Little Debbie snack; usually an oatmeal cream pie, Star Crunch, or Nutty Bar. To wash it all down was a thermos filled with Coca-Cola. It was rare to have a homemade treat such as one of these Honey Oat Bars.

One day at lunch did have a surprise. The thermos rattled as I picked it up out of the lunchbox. It was a different rattle than the sound of a few remaining ice cubes. I opened the thermos to find the glass on the inside had shattered. Yes, back then they were made with glass. It did a great job of keeping beverages hot or cold although somewhat fragile. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to have their beverage filled with shards of glass. Lunchboxes and thermoses these days are so different. They are much safer and are different shapes and sizes other than that old metal box.

Honey Oat Bars | Magnolia Days

Honey Oat Bars are a great treat. They can be enjoyed as a dessert or snack. Honey gives the bars a light sweetness. Butterscotch chips makes these bars reminiscent of oatmeal scotchie cookies. You can substitute chocolate chips or dried fruit for the butterscotch to change up the flavor.

Do you pack meals for yourself or your family? I haven’t had to since becoming a Domestic Goddess. I did for many years while working in an office. It is much healthier and less expensive than going out for lunch. Be sure to scroll down and see more lunchbox recipes by Sunday Supper bloggers. Also check out my Basic White Bread and Homemade Wheat Bread that are great for sandwiches. Fill your lunchbox with lots of good food and remember to include a treat like Honey Oat Bars.

Honey Oat Bars | Magnolia Days
3.8 from 5 votes
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Honey Oat Bars

A recipe for honey oat bars. The bars are made with quick cooking oats, honey, and are filled with butterscotch chips. They are a great snack for any time.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 27 bars
Author Renee Dobbs

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup butterscotch chips*

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Whisk together the flour, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in the oats.
  3. Beat butter, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl until creamy using a hand mixer on high speed.
  4. Add flour/oat mixture and stir or beat on low speed to combine.
  5. Stir in butterscotch chips.
  6. Press evenly in an ungreased 13- X 9-inch baking pan.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown.
  8. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

Recipe Notes

*You can substitute chocolate chips or dried fruit for the butterscotch chips.

Recipe adapted from one in the Pillsbury Classics Cookbooks 1990 November Edition.

Want more recipes for packing lunchbox meals? Take a look at these by talented Sunday Supper bloggers:

Sandwiches, Wraps and Entrees:

Munchies, Salads and Sides:

Sweet Treats:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement

Recipe Rating




Teresa

Thursday 27th of September 2018

These are so yummy! I put in dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips instead of the butterscotch chips. This is a semi healthier version of Scottish shortbread.

Katie Moseman

Monday 1st of October 2018

Sounds like a tasty addition! Thank you for the kind words!

Nancy @ gottagetbaked

Tuesday 20th of August 2013

Oh the weird things I used to get in my lunch bag as a kid! Somedays my mom would boil chicken drumsticks and potatoes for lunch (we didn't have containers that kept food warm so it'd be cold and the fat on the drumsticks would congeal). I ate many consecutive peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Or my mom would buy a dozen giant muffins from the supermarket and we'd eat them for days. I'd gladly have your honey oat bars in my lunch bag, Renee. These look delicious!

Renee

Wednesday 21st of August 2013

You certainly had some unique lunches Nancy. I've never heard of the boiled chicken drumsticks one. Very interesting. At least now you can make your own lunches and whatever treats to go with them too.

Linda | The Urban Mrs

Monday 19th of August 2013

Definitely the kind of bar that we will appreciate - made with love and filled with fresh and delicious ingredients.

Renee

Wednesday 21st of August 2013

Anything made with love is the best!

Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom)

Monday 19th of August 2013

I'd like to find one of these in my lunchbox. I'm going to bookmark these and try them for my kids one week...

Renee

Wednesday 21st of August 2013

Thank Amy! I hope your kids enjoy them. We certainly did, my husband especially.

Jennie @themessybakerblog

Monday 19th of August 2013

Gotta love Little Debbie. We always had a Little Debbie in our box. These honey oat bars beat Little Debbie by a long run. Mmm, I want one in my box. Yum!