I’ve had the guilts this week.  We’ve had sick kids, my husband has been away and we have had lots of school events to attend, and the lunch boxes have suffered.  More times than I care to admit I have reached for a box of store-bought muesli bars, so this week I thought I would redeem myself and replenish my school supply.  I haven’t made this slice for a while, but it’s a favourite and you can easily replace the choc-chips with something healthier like dried apricots and cut it into bars and use it to make your muesli bars.

Please don’t think I am suggesting that we need to make everything that goes into our lunch boxes from scratch.  Who has that much time on their hands?  There are plenty of things (like yoghurts, crackers and tiny teddies) that I buy to pack them for lunch.  As much as I like to include something home-made in their boxes each day, life happens!  And when it does you just have to go with it and if that means cheating a bit, we cheat!  You just have to do what works for you.

Choc-Chip and Oat Slice

INGREDIENTS:

• Melted butter, to grease

• 1/2 cup self-raising flour
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2/3 cup dessicated coconut
• 2/3 cup, firmly packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup sultanas
• 1/2 cup choc bits
• 125g butter, melted, cooled
• 1 egg, lightly whisked

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush a 17 x 27cm (base measurement) slab pan with melted butter to lightly grease. Line the base and 2 opposite long sides with non-stick baking paper, allowing it to overhang.
2. Sift the combined flours into a bowl. Add the oats, coconut, sugar, sultanas and choc bits, and stir to combine. Make a well in the centre and add the melted butter and egg. Use a wooden spoon to stir until well combined. Spoon mixture into prepared pan and use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely. Cut into squares to serve.