I have loved chocolate, for all my life. Sometimes too much (more on that, maybe after we get to know one another a little better.) As I mentioned a few posts ago, I’m a a bit of a later bloomer when it comes to the chocolate hazelnut spread craze that has swept through our kitchen pantries like wildfire over the last couple of decades. I dipped into one of my first jars of this delightful substance a few weeks ago when I put these Chocolate Hazelnut Candy Bars together. Just a few days later, I dipped into the same jar once again and this is what I came up with.
These bars start with pure maple syrup. Always a an attention-getter for me. I’m a native of upstate New York, east of Lake Ontario and just a stones throw from the Canadian border in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. Most of you likely are not aware that this is maple syrup country, second in production only to Vermont. From our sugar bush, we boiled a lot of sap from the 2,000 plus buckets that hung from those sugar maple trees. Some of them well over 100 years in age and large enough to hang four or five buckets from. I loved helping make the syrup in the spring, and to this day I love to use pure maple syrup any chance that I can.
This recipe is pretty basic which is another element that lends great appeal to me. Some oatmeal, nutella (or other chocolate hazelnut spread), flour and butter, and you’re pretty much “there.”
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If I were to have the honorable position of “Bar Judge,” these would rank quite high. The oatmeal and buttery flour base give these little guys a sweet and palatable crunch once they come out of the oven. To me, this equals taste and texture; a sweet combination – quite literally in this case.
Fortunately, in our household there is no need for the position of Bar Judge. We in fact have six of them, all male in gender and all between the ages of 7 and 16. Our boys are the very best litmus test we could ask for when it comes to treats and meals from our kitchen. Let’s just say this batch of bars were inhaled in record time, leaving only a few crumbs in the wake. No doubt this is part of the reason they are called crumb bars. After making them, after just an hour or so – crumbs are all that’s left.
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cup quick oats
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3/4 cup Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread such as Jiff
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Line 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
- In large mixing bowl combine and mix oats, flour, sugar.
- In smaller bowl mix together melted butter and maple syrup.
- Pour butter and syrup mixture over oat mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer 2/3 of oat mixture into prepared baking pan and evenly distribute.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes then remove from oven.
- Meanwhile, heat Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread for 15 seconds in microwave safe dish to soften.
- Spread chocolate spread over baked oat mixture base.
- Crumble the remaining 1/3 oat mixture over chocolate layer.
- Return to oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes.
- Allow bars to cool.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Catherine says
This is a great idea for Nutella! I have some leftover in a jar…these would be fun to make. Pinning for later!
[email protected] McCallumsShamrockPatch says
Dear Dan and spouse
As the year 2014 comes to an end we would love to thank you both for all your fabulous posts and links you have shared at our parties on “The Patch” we would love for you to join us this Thursday- Monday to celebrate another #PureBlogLove party to close 2014 and begin our blogging year of 2015, It has been an honor to be part of your blogging world and watch your blog grow!
Thank you again
Besos
Heidy
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks, Heidy! All the best to you and yours in the new year, as well. -Dan and Scott
Made From Pinterest says
These look amazing! And what a great idea! I am totally making this tonight!
Cindy @ Hun What's for Dinner? says
OMGosh Dan, how sinful do these look?!? Your Nutella Oatmeal Crumb Bars are being featured this week, over at Simple Supper Tuesday. I hope you can join us again, starting at 8pm on Monday!
Dini @ giramuks kitchen says
If I made these at home, I don’t think there would be anything left by the time anyone comes home!! They look absolutely delicious!!
I have a weakness for Nutella – I try to stop at one spoon, but never do!! I’m going to buy a jar just to make this!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Dini, making them is the only way to test your theory! Thanks so much for commenting.
Sarah @ Sarah's Kitchen says
Nutella… Come on! What’s not to love about this delicious recipe, right?! It looks absolutely devine
Dan from Platter Talk says
Sarah, sometimes the obvious even needs to be taste-tested! Conclusion: No surprises here. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Alyce @theculinarymama says
Oh yum! I love anything with Nutella and these look fantastic
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks, Alyce. These are full of yum!
Karly says
My kids would go crazy for these bars! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Great to hear from you, Karly! Thanks for hosting.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
These sound so wonderful! Thanks for linking up with SNF! Pinned to our party board!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Jaren,
These are indeed wonderful and we appreciate your great comments!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I am definitely going to have to try these!! They look wonderful and I think the kids (and I) will love them! And I just discovered Nutella not too long ago myself…which everyone else seems to find amusing. 🙂 It is really good though, and now I pretty much always have it around. Pinning and sharing! Thank you so much for joining us at Foodie Fridays…thrilled to have you! Happy Friday!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Many thanks for the great comments, Michelle. Thanks too, for sharing these!
Hadia's Lebanese Cuisine says
We just can’t go wrong with Nutella and your oatmeal crumb bars look divine! I have seen your awesome recipe at Simple Super Tuesday linky party!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Hadlia, thanks so much for your comments! We really appreciate hearing from you.
Erin @ Simple, Sweet & Savory says
Can you ever go wrong with Nutella? NOPE! These bars look so decadently delish! I can’t wait to try them. Pinning!
Laura says
Mmmm, these sound so delicious and so easy. Just my sort of thing! I think my office mates would adore them too.
Dan from Platter Talk says
No doubt, your office mates would love!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
These look sooo good, you can’t go wrong with such yummy ingredients!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thank you, Michelle!
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
You can’t go wrong with nutella. YUM!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
Wow these sound great! Nutella. Maple Syrup. Oatmeal Crumbs. What’s not to love?!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Chris,
Thanks for stopping by, yes, these are keepers!!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
You had me at Nutella! I would gladly eat this for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Terrific post Dan! 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks, Anne. I appreciate your comments!!
CQUEK says
Gotta try this recipe.i love nuttella
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thank you!!
Shashi Charles says
Dan – these bars look GORGEOUSLY SCRUMPTIOUS!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Shashi,
Thanks for the comments; these are almost too dangerously delicious to make, however I did not let that stop me! Thanks again for stopping by!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Nutella crumb bars – oh goodness, hand me a few! Love these!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Pamela,
I was not able to stop at a few… Just sayin’ 🙂 Thanks for the comments!
Marie Matter says
I could devour the whole pan! These look amazing!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thank you, Marie!!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
LOve NUTELLA !! and maple ehhhhhhh so good Dan, you are killing us! Fabulous bars!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Awwe, wish you had been here to try a couple!!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I just love Nutella and love this recipe even more!!!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Ashley,
These ranked pretty high on the “wonderfully delicious” scale! Thank you for commenting, I always love hearing from you!
Brooks says
I’ve never tasted Nutella. But I do love maple syrup. And how I would love to experience the process of boiling sap from those hundred-year-old sugar maples. Oh, the color the leaves must turn this time of year. Sigh.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Brooks,
That is where I grew up, just as you described. Interestingly enough I never appreciated it more until I moved far away. What a special and beautiful part of the world; one of many right in our own backyard. Thank you for dropping in and taking the time to comment, it’s always special to hear from you!
Kitchen Riffs says
I love the Adirondacks! Never been as far north as where you grew up, but the country there is so gorgeous, isn’t it? Anyway, great bars. Being Bar Judge would be so cool, wouldn’t it? Great recipe – thanks.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for the great comments, I hope sometime you can visit northern New York state, it is beautiful and so scenic!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Dan, I am in love with this recipe! So very creative of you to add pure maple syrup to Nutella to make these buttery-oaty bars. I simply cannot wait to make them! They look heavenly. Thank you for sharing, my friend!
Dan from Platter Talk says
You’re the best, Stacy!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, I always love hearing from you 🙂
Joanne says
Nutella and maple, eh? Well if that doesn’t sound like a match made in bar heaven, I’m not sure what is!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Yes, Joanne. A no-brainer!! 🙂 Thanks for the comments!