Chocolate Raspberry Bars

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2/3 cup Olio’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil*

3 tablespoon water

Filling:

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen, if frozen allow to thaw slightly

½ cup semisweet mini chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375o and coat a 9 x 13 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda. Make a well in the center.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla, brown sugar, olive oil and water.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until well mixed. Reserve 1-1/2 cups of this mixture for the topping. Press the remaining mixture into the prepared pan.

In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and raspberries. Evenly distribute the berries over the crust. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and reserved crumb topping.

Bake for 32-38 minutes or until the bars are set. The bars may look slightly underdone but will firm up as they cool.

Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once completely cool, cut into bars.

Yield 36-48 bars