O Henry Squares

 

 By now my children know that I am very sneaky.  They are on the lookout for puréed lentils in soups and stews and they have resigned themselves to the fact that there is ground flax in almost everything.  I never waste an opportunity to add healthy foods to our diet and I believe that it can be done without compromising taste!

 

These gluten free, high protein, O Henry Squares are a great way to sneak some extra healthy ingredients and protein into a delicious chocolatey treat!  I took the basic recipe, used gluten free oats then added some ground flax for fibre, and hemp hearts and almond meal for protein.  I reduced the sugar and replaced the corn syrup with healthier real maple syrup and the result is very yummy!

 

Here in Canada it will soon be be back-to-school time and these O Henry Squares are perfect for the lunch box, as long as your school isn't nut free!

O Henry Squares

Gluten Free, High Protein 

• 4 cups GF oatmeal
• 1/4 cup ground flax
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2/3 cup cane sugar
• 1/2 tsp. GF Vanilla
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup butter, softened

Topping:

• 2 1/4 cups (1 pkg.) chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup smooth peanut butter(I use sugar free, salt free) 

In a large mixing bowl combine oatmeal, flax, hemp hearts, almond meal, salt and sugar.  Add vanilla, maple syrup and softened butter and mix with your hands until everything is well blended.  Spread onto a cookie sheet and pack down firmly.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.  Cool.  In a medium saucepan combine chocolate chips and peanut butter stir and melt over medium heat.  Spread over cooled oatmeal. Cut into squares when completely cooled.