You know you have a great sister when you open your inbox to find an email with a mouthwatering recipe that says “I just created this and thought you might like it”….yes, yes, I would! 
Both my sister and mom have a knack for “accidentally” creating healthy, delicious and creative dishes. I guess that gene wasn’t passed down to me, so today you’re able to enjoy my sister’s creative abilities. 
These bars are more reminiscent of a cake, being light and moist with an oh-so-good sweet glaze. You can purchase buckwheat flour at a specialty grocery store or quickly make it yourself by grinding raw buckwheat groats (not kasha) into a fine flour in a food processor. I take this route and store several cups of this nutrient-rich flour in a mason jar in order for future recipes to come together more quickly.
Buckwheat is actually not wheat but rather a fruit seed making it suitable for those sensitive to gluten. It is also packed with protein with 16 grams per 1 cup of flour and is also a great source or fiber and calcium.
If you’ve never tried coconut butter its simply coconut flakes blended in a food processor until smooth like a butter – just like making peanut butter! If you’re interested in making it yourself The Kitchn has a great tutorial or you can purchase it at your specialty grocery store as well.
BARS
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ginger
- dash of ground nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 cup + 2 TBSP unsweetened apple sauce
- 2 TBSP maple syrup
- 2 TBSP blackstrap molasses
- 2 TBSP milk of choice
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium bowl
3. Add wet ingredients and mix well
4. Pour into an 8 x 8 parchment paper lined glass pan
5. Bake 25-30 minutes, until the bars are beginning to crack on top and a tooth pick inserted comes out clean (but don’t let them get dry, they are best moist!)
6. Let cool while making the glaze
GLAZE
- 3 TBSP coconut butter
- 1/2 TBSP honey
- 2-3 TBSP milk of choice
- pinch of salt
- pinch of cinnamon
1. Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and heat on low
2. Stir often, heating and blending until it makes a completely smooth glaze. Add more milk if too thick.
3. Using a fork, poke random holes all over the top of the bars. Pour the glaze evenly over the bars and smooth with spatula.
Now get ready to dive into these delicious and nourishing treats!
