Breakfast bars are handy when you are in a rush and you need a quick burst of energy without caving into another coffee. Rather than going out and buying them, why not bake your own. They are so simple to make, the basic ingredients are really cheap and you can add whatever you fancy and make them as luxurious or healthy as you like - kids dig them too. Here are a couple of recipes:

Sesame and hazelnut Oatmeal bars:

Ingredients:

• 100g butter
• 3 tbsp golden syrup
• 85g demerara sugar
• 140g porridge oats
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 50g desiccated coconut
• 2 tbsp linseeds, slightly crushed
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 100g chopped hazelnuts

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Butter a 22cm square baking tin. Melt the butter, syrup and sugar in a pan. Pour in the oats, cinnamon, coconut, seeds and nuts, mix and pour into tin. Bake for 30-35 mins. Leave to cool for 5 mins, then cut into slices. Will keep for 1 week in an airtight container.

Jam and Oatmeal Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1-1½ cups oatmeal
• 165g butter
• 1 cup favorite jam

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and oatmeal. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press half of mixture in ungreased pan. Spread jam over top. Sprinkle remaining crumbs on top. Bake at 160C/fan 140C/gas 3 for about 20-25 minutes or until golden. Will keep for 1 week in an airtight container.

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