Baking time: 16 minutes Cooling time: 30 minutesThese bars are a treat to savor with a steaming cup of tea or coffee.
Preparation time: 15 minutes Baking time: 16 minutes Cooling time: 30 minutes
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1⁄3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup 1% cottage cheese
2 tablespoons Better Butter or trans-fat free spread
1 egg
½ teaspoon mint extract
Confectioners’ sugar
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat an 8" × 8" baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Place the chocolate in a small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high power for about 1 minute, or until partially melted. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
2. Place the oats, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder in a food processor bowl fitted with a metal blade. Process for 3 minutes, or until the oats are finely ground. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the cottage cheese to the processor bowl. Process, scraping the bowl as needed, for about 2 minutes, or until smooth. Add the Better Butter or spread, egg, and extract. Process, scraping the bowl as needed, for about 1 minute, or until smooth. Add to the oats mixture along with the reserved melted chocolate. Stir to mix. Dollop the batter into the prepared pan. Pat to spread evenly.
3. Bake for about 16 minutes, or just until the top is set. Do not overbake. Let stand to cool. Cut into 16 squares.
4. Dust lightly with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.
MAKES 16 SERVINGS
Per serving: 100 calories, 13 g carbohydrate, 3 g protein, 5 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 75 mg sodium, 1 g fiber
Carbohydrate Choices: 1
Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat
NOTE: If not serving right away, store the bars in an airtight container in the freezer.