Chocolate Mixed Berry Oat Bars

3 year old approved

I came across a version of this recipe at Texanerin Baking's blog. Go check out her original and peak around at some of her other recipes! I made some of my own modifications but otherwise I liked what she created. This is my version of Texanerin's bars.
 

Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Oat Bars

 Ingredients

• 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups rolled old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup soft (but not liquid) refined coconut oil 
• 1/3 cup soy free Earth Balance Spread
• 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries
• 1/3 cup mixed berry jam (or any berry flavor that you happen to have on hand)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Line an 8"x8" square baking pan with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 375°F. 
2. Stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Cut in the coconut oil and mix until the dough just comes together.
4. Gently press two thirds of it onto the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
5. Bake for 12-13 minutes or until the edges just start to brown.
6. While baking, prepare the berry filling. In a small sauce pan, stir together the berries and jam. Heat through until it is mashed with a fork.
7. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
8. Spread this mixture over the baked crust and then sprinkle about 1/2 of the chocolate chips over the berry layer.
9. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate chips.
10. Bake for another 25-28 minutes or until the top has lightly browned and the filling is bubbly.
11. Remove from the oven and top with the rest of the chocolate chips.
12. Let the bars cool completely in the pan and then refrigerate at least 3 hours before cutting.