Andy Bars

My three year old asked if we could have "andy bars" for a snack the other day.  I had no idea what he was asking for.  He explained that they were black and I thought perhaps he meant candy bars.  I explained that we didn't have any candy bars and he suggested that we cook some.  (What a great problem solver, huh?)  He reminded me that they would be black and further explained that he would mix the "flour and everything."  Well, who was I to snuff out such a good plan?!

So, I tweaked a recipe that called for cocoa and flour and we made Andy Bars.  My three year old did indeed mix "the flour and everything."  Then, he waited patiently while they cooked and cooled.  I was a bit nervous when it was time to cut them, was this what he had on his mind?

I cut and served him an Andy Bar and, clearly, this was not what was on his mind.  He suggested that we needed to cut them.  So, I cut the candy bar shaped treat into a granola bar shaped treat and that was satisfactory.

In case you need Andy Bars at your house, here's our recipe.  By the way, they do not taste anything like candy bars, or brownies or cake either.  I guess they are just Andy Bars.



Andy Bars
modified from Healthified Cocoa Squares

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2T ground flaxseed
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2-3 T orange juice
1/2 ripe banana, mashed

1.  Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
2.  In a separate bowl, combine everything else.
3.  Add dry ingredients to wet and mix.
4.  Pour into a greased 8x8 inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.  Cool, cut, and serve.