Spiced Pear and Walnut Oat Bars

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium ripe pears (about 1 1/2 cups diced, peeled or unpeeled as preferred)
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Stir together until evenly mixed.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the bars tender.
5. Gently fold in the diced pears and chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly, pressing lightly.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-30 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
8. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars to ensure they hold together well.

Chef tips

• Use ripe but firm pears such as Bartlett or Bosc for best flavor and texture; softer pears may become too mushy.
• If you prefer a nut-free version, replace walnuts with extra oats or seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
• For a sweeter touch, drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over the bars once cooled.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.