No More Excuses!

January 7, 2013

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, providing you with much-needed energy. In the morning hustle, it is easy to turn to high calorie convenience foods that will leave you feeling hungry long before lunch. This recipe makes 12 bars full of whole grains that will fuel you till lunchtime for an entire week. No more excuses for skipping breakfast!

Ricotta Breakfast Bars

Topping:

1/2 cup toasted and salted pecans, chopped

2 Tbsp. packed dark brown sugar

1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Bars:

1 1/4 cups barley flour

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup toasted and salted pecans, chopped

1/2 cup prunes, chopped

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup whole milk

2 Tbsp. molasses

To make bars: Preheat oven to 350° and place a rack in the center. In a large bowl, stir together flours, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, pecans, and prunes; set aside. In a separate bowl, stir together melted butter, ricotta, milk, and molasses. Add butter mixture to flour mixture and stir gently to combine.

Spoon dough onto a floured surface. Dust flour over batter and use your hands to shape it into a long rectangle, about 3 x 14. Transfer log to a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet.

To make topping: In a small bowl, mix together pecans, brown sugar, and poppy seeds. Brush top of log with 1 Tbsp. melted butter and cover with pecan-poppy seed mixture. Bake until log is dark golden brown and gives gently to the touch, about 35 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet 10 minutes. Use a serrated knife to cut into 12 pieces, then transfer to a rack to cool.

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Keri Murphy and the Inspired Living team is on a mission to empower people to use their unique talents in a way that allows them to Dream, Live and BE all that is possible through speaking, coaching, celebrity interviews and original on-line content. Get Inspired at inspiredliving.tv