After making them and everyone loving them, I had an epiphany- THEY NEED PEANUT BUTTER.
Because PB&J BREAKFAST BARS?! Uh, yea, sign me up. Sounds like a delicious and healthy childhood memory baked to perfection. And these turned out as such.
They are gluten free (if you use gluten free oats!), no refined sugars, packed with the goodness of oats, fresh strawberries and chia seeds. I know when I serve one of these to Elias for breakfast that he is starting his day with good nutrients getting packed it (even if he asks for pizza after he scarfs them down).
And they’re not just a kid breakfast, we love having them to grab on the go or for an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee. Do yourself a favor a make a batch to have for the week!
I don’t know about where you are, but here in south Louisiana, we have been having a real-life SPRING, which does not happen each year. The days are longer, the weather has been sunny and cool. It has been AMAZING. The kind of weather where you are scared to blink because you know as soon as you do its going to be 100 degrees with 100% humidity. Elias and I have been walking to the park almost daily, we eat dinner on our back decks most evenings, and we have been trying to spend as much time as possible enjoying the gift of this weather.
Its also really been inspiring me in the kitchen to try more SPRING like recipes. I have been craving lighter foods, softer flavors, fresher everything. That craving plus the lavender plant I just planted in our herb garden set off a lightbulb for the perfect spring recipe.
Because I love experimental baking and finding fun new ways to make things, I decided to transform that recipe into a sweet bar with a classic combination of cinnamon and raisin.
These bars are a great, lightly sweet treat that are jam-packed with nutritional benefits from flax, and a great idea for a brunch or party if you have guests with strict dietary restrictions.
Celebrating is a big deal in our family. Whether it is a holiday, a birthday or just a random Tuesday, we try to be intentional about creating space to celebrate the big and little things in life together. And it just seems to be innately wired in us Southern folk that a good celebration should always revolve around food..
And is there really any food more centered on celebration than a cake? Its very presence is a cue to everyone to get ready to party. If you are looking for a fresh and tangy cake for a summer celebration, then I do believe you have found it. This Mojito Cake is perfect for a poolside party or a Tuesday-night “just because.” It is everything a cake should be: moist, dense and full of zesty lime and fresh mint to create a party on your palate. So go ahead and celebrate—just don’t forget the cake!