Skinny Treat ... Banana Split Bars (WW+ 4 Pts)

With the season to eat upon us I thought I'd share a yummy recipe that was lower in calories and a GREAT treat.  I LOVE Skinny Taste she has the best recipes and they are ALL weight watcher friendly if you do that program.  I don't but I like to use her recipes to make sure we're eating healthy.  This recipe for Banana Split Bars was a real treat so good that I was eating more then the one you get for 4 points, so I sent them to my bestie's house ... lol.  That is what friends are for bring treats right?

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups quick rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1-1/2 cups very ripe mashed bananas
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup raw honey (or pure maple syrup)
• 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (or craisins)
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
• 1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with 2 pieces of foil or parchment paper, criss-crossing over so they fold over the pan; spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Combine the quinoa and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until liquid is barely absorbed. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 to 6 minutes, remove lid and fluff with a fork. Transfer to a medium bowl and let it cool completely.

Mix together the oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

Add mashed bananas, egg, honey, oil and vanilla to the cooked bowl of quinoa and stir until just blended. Add the banana mixture to the oats mixture and stir until just blended. Mix in dried cherries, walnuts and chocolate chips.

Spread the batter evenly over the prepared pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. For best results, refrigerate 20 minutes before cutting.

Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 bars and refrigerate or freeze to store.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used Agave Nectar instead of Honey, I really like the taste of it I have the light so the calories are a little better also.

Enjoy a light treat with all these calorie filled days to come.

Thanks for Stopping by!

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Nanner's are the thing ... Banana Split Bars

My amazing work out instructor had a birthday a few weeks back.  When we became FB friends she saw one of my recipe post I wanted to make.  She commented she wanted it for her birthday that was coming up.  So I saved the recipe and put a note in my phone to remind me.  The night before her birthday I pulled up the recipe to do the head slap moment .. oh no it's ice cream in the middle.  So the Banana Split Brownie Cake on Taste of Home was out.  Plan B had to come into place and find a Banana Split dessert that was easy to transport and would stand up for me to take it there, stay during class and stay on her drive home.

I found these amazing Banana Split Bars on Taste and Tell Blog. I didn't take a bite but they sure did smell good and her husband and daughter came up to say they were very tasty!

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 banana, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup chopped peanuts
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup maraschino cherries, drained and quartered

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg, banana and vanilla and mix well. Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt, then mix into the batter. Fold in the peanuts.
3. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and top with the marshmallows, chocolate chips and cherries. Return to the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, an additional 10-15 minutes. Cool completely then cut into bars.

Thanks for stopping by

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.