Vegan Orange Flavored Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients and Method to make Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

1 cup oat flour (see notes)

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries ( I used craisins) (or dark raisins/kismis)

1 tsp aluminum free baking powder (or any other baking powder)

1/2 cup almond butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp orange extract

2 Tbsp flax seed meal ( powdered alsi/ ali virai ) + 6 tbsp water (see notes)
2 Tbsp oil 

Pre heat oven to 375 deg F (approx 190 deg C)

Grease a 9" X 9" pan, or line it with parchment paper and keep aside

In a large bowl, place oat flour + rolled oats + baking powder + dried cranberries and mix well.

Whisk flax seed meal + water until it is gelatinous and keep aside. 

In another bowl, cream together the almond butter and  sugar until well blended. Add flax "egg" to this and mix well. Add oil and mix again.

Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and slowly mix to form a dough. 

Add orange extract and mix again.

Spread this mixture evenly in the pre greased tray/ pre lined pan. I put the mixture, then place a small piece of parchment paper and with the help of a spatula, smooth out the mixture a little. Place in oven and bake for 15 to 20 mins or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool thoroughly before cutting into squares or  rectangles as preferred and store in an air tight container.

Tastes best within 2 to 3 days ( if it lasts that long :-) )

Notes

I processed rolled oats in a spice grinder until I got fine powder (but you can use store bought oat flour too )

Flax seed meal just means powdered flax seed. In India flax seeds are known as Alsi

The baking times will vary depending on the material of the tray and the size of it. If you have spread the mixture very thin it could be ready in 5 to 10 mins too, so do keep that in mind when you are assessing baking times.