Blueberry Peanut Butter Crumble Bars |

It's a blueberry world and we're just living in it!!!
I cannot get enough of blueberries this summer! Particularly in forms that are baked, apparently.
Recently I came across a classic recipe for blueberry crumble bars on the inter-web, one that called for ingredients like refined AP flour, refined white sugar (and lots of it) and ample butter...which I'd wager was from a factory farmed source.
I knew that I wanted to re-create the traditional goodness of a crumble bar with LL Balanced-styled, 2017 ingredients.
Which, obviously, often includes PEANUT BUTTER!
Actually, the peanut butter inspo was reinforced by my discovery of the Santa Cruz Organic Peanut Butter Powder. I am not inherently anti-PB powder. I don't see it as a replacement for the real deal, and I embrace ALL the healthy fats, but it does have an amazing concentrated peanut butter-y flavor. It takes a lot of PB to achieve the same flavor in a smoothie or baked good that the powder provides. So I'm digging the idea of using them both...starting with these droolworthy bars. I also love that THIS brand has some chia added to it for some extra fiber and nutrients!
No worries if you're not a PB fan or can't have it; just sub almond butter and an extra 1/4 cup oat flour!
I kinda nailed these on the first try, if I do say so, but I always do a second round of testing before sharing with my baby boos (read: y'all). In this case, round 2 turned into 3 and 4 because I kept forgetting ingredients.
Frustrating, but in retrospect I have to wonder if my subconscious was at play....
Anyways, the finished product is here and I am PROUD of this one! These bars have the crumbly, butteryness and sweet gooeyness like bars of yore, but I made healthier choices: coconut sugar for refined, oat flour for AP and lovely, omega-3 rich grassfed butter. It was important to me not to skimp when it came to using enough sweetener and butter to achieve the classic eating experience. I love butter in moderation and when using the highest-quality available, and I think it is a healthy choice. However; feel free to sub coconut oil or vegan butter if you like!
I also loved the opportunity to re-use the blueberry extract from my donut recipe, but remember that it is optional! I made the bars with and without, and both versions were fab. You can also try this with other fruits such a strawberries or peaches!
If you make these lil nuggets of love, please tag me on Instagram @lauraleabalanced so I can see your creations!
XO
LL
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