Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Squares

I have come across this recipe which is my next one to try :) Full of goodness with oats, banana, cinnamon and a favorite of mine peanut butter... extra protein and good oils! I would use natural or organic peanut butter which can be bought from health food shops or health food sections of supermarkets. The original recipe has 1/4 cup of light brown sugar which isn't much really but in my 'sugar free' weeks i would substitute this with  a sweetener or not use sugar and add a few chopped dates for that extra sweetness but with the bonus of dietary fibre, tannins (which help fight infection and inflammation), vitamin A for eye and skin health as well as iron, copper, potassium and other anti-oxidants. I had the question whether apple sauce could be substituted for sugar but it is more of a substitute for fats/butter due to the texture and density. Honey being a liquid would also not be a good substitute unless it is balanced with extra oats or flour. 

Ingredients...

1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped and pitted dates (originally 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 large mashed banana
1/4 cup organic crunchy peanut butter

Mix together the quick cooking oats, baking powder, kosher salt and ground cinnamon.

Add in the vanilla extract, milk and egg. Mix the ingredients together.

Then add in the mashed banana, dates and peanut butter. Combine all of the ingredients.

Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 8 by 8 inch metal baking pan. Bake at 350 F degrees for 20 minutes.

Cut into squares and enjoy! Perfect for a post-workout snack :) Possibility... add pepitas and pumpkin seeds? (I may be addicted to these also :P) 

On a side note a friend of mine made the banana-oat slice but substituted the butter for 125g yoghurt and used dates instead of cranberries... i must try this version as well!!

On a side note today... A little pat on the back for me i resisted cake and a latte' going out for afternoon tea AND sticky date pudding at college dinner (although i would rather eat better sticky date pudding :P) I have been having mums cranberry biscuits (one) at night and have to stop myself from having more but it is nice to still have a treat and keep it to one :) (especially when you know your family is in Europe enjoying all the flavors of the world over there!)