I was in a bit of a baking frenzie on Saturday…just couldn’t get enough of it… I spent the morning developing this tasty recipe for nut n’ seed bars…and to top ’em off, I thought…why not add a creative dipping sauce to these beautiful bars? With my love for almonds, fresh garden herbs, spices and honey, I created a flavorful sauce that adds the perfect touch to these bars…

You can enjoy these tasty nibbles for breakfast with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, for an afternoon pick-me-up snack or an evening dessert with your favorite coconut milk ice cream….sound delish? I think so…

Dive in, and let me know your thoughts…

Mmmmm…another bar, another day…but this one is sure to have you comin’ back and bakin’ more…

It’s my new favorite bar…

Shall we call it…the Amie Bar?

Nut n’ Seed Bars with Almond Butter Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• ¾ cup honey
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• ½ cup golden raisins
• 1/8 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• Almond Butter Sauce (recipe below)
• ½ tsp. olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Spray a baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the honey and sugar and cook over moderate heat, for approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the oats, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, sea salt and chili powder; cook for approximately 2 minutes. Transfer batter into the prepared baking dish.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove from oven; set aside to cool.
3. Remove the entire square from the pan by lifting the parchment paper.  Slice into bars.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the bottom half of each bar into the almond butter sauce (twice to ensure a thick coat) and set the bars on the baking sheet. Refrigerate until the almond butter is set.

Almond Butter Sauce

Ingredients

• ¾ cup almond butter
• ¼ cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 Tbsp. warm water
• ¼ cup cilantro, minced
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. In a food processor, combine nut butter, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, honey and water; pulse until smooth.

3. Add cilantro, garlic, ginger, chili powder and cinnamon; continue to pulse until mixture forms a smooth and creamy consistency.