Happy Independence Day to all my U.S. friends!
Back in northern California, Gordon, one of my old personal training clients (whose daughter later became one of my best friends) used to have a huge 4th of July party every year. There was a huge potluck, swimming, a mini-golf competition, way too much alcohol, and then Gordon would put on a full fireworks show in the cul-de-sac he lived in, completely pissing off all of his neighbors. Needless to say, I looked forward to this party every year.
Being a personal trainer, I felt it was my duty to bring a healthy dessert or snack to share with everyone and I did this the first 4 years. I managed to keep it pretty classy during all of that time. Then one year, I brought a pasta dish, and I ended up experiencing the complete opposite end of the classy spectrum. I realize that it was likely my choice in beverage that led to my behavior, but I wonder what would have happened if I had brought one of my healthy desserts? Would I still have that one pair of flip-flops?
I have no regrets and I am so thankful for that day. I had a blast and it made me appreciate classiness. However, if I were going to Gordon's party today, I would likely be bringing this dish (as well as a cooler full of water). This dessert brings everything you love about cobblers and puts them in a portable-friendly bar form (I used a pie dish, because I thought it was pretty, but a 9x9 baking dish would be perfect too). The fact that they're sugar-free and have a very low oil content would make my old personal trainer self pretty happy.
Even though I don't have a party to go to today, and will likely be staying home (and missing my client and his family), I will still be enjoying these very scrumptious bars. If you do have a party to go to, you should definitely whip up some Stone Fruit Cobbler Bars and show everyone how to keep it classy!
STONE FRUIT COBBLER BARS
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (could be made gluten-free with GF flour)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ + 1/8 cups coconut oil, softened at room temp
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or agave syrup)
- 3 dates, pitted
- 2 peaches, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 nectarines, thinly sliced
- 2 apricots, thinly sliced
- 2 plums, thinly sliced
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease, or spray with vegan non-stick spray, a 9x9 baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, toss the fruit with the cornstarch and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients (the first four ingredients). Set aside.
- In a food processor, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, and dates until smooth. Pour into the dry ingredient bowl and mix to combine.
Spread ½ - 2/3 (depending on how much you want to have on top of the fruit. Personally, I like to have some of the fruit peek through) of the crust batter into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the fruit over the crust and top with the remaining batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until crust on top is golden and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!
All Photos taken by Chris Miller and Kristy Turner
© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Somer
I think between the BBQ tofu dinner and this cobbler you have my 4th of July dinner covered tonight! I have most of the ingredients and can Somerize what I don't. Delicious! Happy 4th girl!
keepinitkind
I love that "Somerize" is a word now! You are too funny! Have a fantastic 4th, Somer! xoxo
Shira
You two are awesome! I love that Somerize is a word too - I might just have to use that somewhere...
keepinitkind
🙂
Michelle
Kristy your instructions say agave but your recipe says maple syrup? See I now read throughly ...lol
This looks great!
keepinitkind
You're absolutely right! Sorry about that- total typo! It's Maple Syrup, and it has been updated. Thanks for the heads up! Whew!
Have a great 4th, Michelle!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
I love the fruits you used here! I don't bake with stone fruits nearly enough- they usually just get eaten as is for me. I really need to change this!
I hope you are having a good 4th of July even though you can't go to that BBQ! But looking at those bars, I'm sure you are finding a way to enjoy yourself regardless 😉
Happy 4th from your northern friend 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Gabby! Baking with fruit is not something I do very often either, but these bars are so dang good! I'm going to have to branch out with outher fruits!
I hope you're having an awesome day as well! Take care! 🙂
Caitlin
what a healthy and delicious looking cobbler! it reminds me of a thin pie and i reeeeeally want a piece of it right now.
happy july 4th, kristy 😉
keepinitkind
Thanks, Caitlin! I think I'll go have a piece right now to enjoy on your behalf. 🙂 I hope you had a great 4th too!
Shira
Gorgeous dessert Kristy and Happy 4th of July! Loving the photos today 🙂
keepinitkind
Thanks, Shira! Chris really did a lovely job on these pics! I hope you had a fantastic 4th too! 🙂
Heather
I love Cobbler and in bar form would be amazing!
Oh how do I not miss those nights of lost flip flops, purses, sweatshirts....you name it i probably misplaced it at somepoint 🙂
keepinitkind
So true! I do NOT miss those nights at all! 🙂
I'm glad you like the cobbler bars, Heather! I hope you had a great 4th!
ATasteOfMadness
I have never made a cobbler before, but this just looks delicious.
keepinitkind
Thank you! I hope you try it out soon! Take care! 🙂
Alaine at My GF & DF Living
I will have to try the gluten-free version of this! These look so tasty and would be perfect for the summer treat! Can't wait to try
keepinitkind
Thanks! I love the idea of a gluten-free version! Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Sadie
Mmmmm. Peach cobbler is one of my favorite desserts; I'll have to make this soon!
keepinitkind
Yay! I hope you like it! 🙂
Basil
I've never had the courage to make a cobbler, but this one looks like I will have to put aside my fears. Such lovely fruits!
keepinitkind
Awesome! I love finding recipes that give me courage to try new things in the kitchen. Have fun! 🙂
Michelle
So Monday is when I make things since its my day off...I had.everything for this minus plums so I just added some of the other fruit...its in the oven now...I also made your chia cherry granola today ....yum...
keepinitkind
Oh, I hope you like it, Michelle! You are just so awesome! I wish we lived closer so we could hang out! I'm going to have to head down to OC sometime. 🙂
Michelle
Me too! It was cobbler than bars ...very good ...I didn't have the 9*9 so I had to use the pie pan....
Ok time for spin to work off all that I ate today ...lol
I've been lazy lately ....
keepinitkind
I'm so glad you liked it! I so admire you for doing spinning- it scares me a little! 😉
Richgail @AstigVegan
Giving this a try very soon!!!
keepinitkind
Yay! Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Cadry
Peaches, nectarines, apricots, AND plums? It's like the essence of summer! These bars sound fantastic! You have an open invite to any of my Fourth of July parties!
keepinitkind
Thank you and thank you! I know- I went a little crazy with the fruit, but I had an overflow of stone fruits, and not all of them were going to make it into salads. 🙂