Granola Bars Thursday, May 2 2013 

IMG_1566

 

A friend gave me this recipe a few years ago, and I remember really liking them. I finally got around to making it again, and yes, still just as delicious! These are pretty sweet, more like a dessert to me, but hold together really well.

 

IMG_1568

 

Granola Bars

3 cups oatmeal
2/3 cup slivered almonds
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
3/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp maple extract
1/4 cup maple syrup

Mix thoroughly, by hand. Press it on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375F for 10-15 minutes, or until it bubbles in the middle and is just a bit brown. Cut when warm, and leave in the pan until completely cooled.

Oven-Baked Granola Bars Friday, Oct 19 2012 

These granola bars are chewy with crispy edges, sweet, and an excellent dessert. 🙂  My friend Sara adapted this recipe, and I think its awesome. I’m glad she doesn’t mind me sharing it here! 🙂

My son (4 yrs old) said they were the best in the whole world! He uses that expression a fair bit recently, but basically means he realllllly likes it! 😉

Oven-Baked Granola Bars

7 cups oatmeal (can use all quick, or 2 cups old fashioned and 5 cups quick)
1 1/3 cups shredded coconut/chopped slivered almonds/hemp seeds/flax (I did 2 Tbsp ground flax, then 1/2 coconut and 1/2 almonds for the rest)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup (if you do not have maple syrup, use 1/2 cup brown sugar in it’s place)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup butter

Mix oatmeal and coconut/almonds/flax in a large bowl.

Melt butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a pot. Heat until most of the sugar has melted.  Stir thoroughly to incorporate the butter and other ingredients, then add vanilla.  Stir well.  Pour over oatmeal mixture.  Stir well.

Divide mixture between 2 greased cookie sheets (I used parchment paper instead of greasing the pans) and press down evenly.  Once it is packed down, bake at 375F for 10-15 minutes, until bubbling and golden on edges and top. Cut while warm.

Makes 64 bars.  They may be stored at room temp for quite a while, but keep very well in the freezer too.

Quick and Easy: No Bake Granola Bars Thursday, Aug 30 2012 

 

This week, my son started JK. I can’t believe school has entered our household!! With that, means school lunches. I’ll share more ideas as time goes on, as it is very important to me to send lunches and snacks that are homemade and as healthy as possible. I have a really good granola bar recipes (this one!), but the problem with it is it gets soft pretty quickly and crumbles up. Not as good for school lunch, probably, although it would totally still work wrapped in plastic wrap individually.

I came across this No Bake Granola Bar recipe, tried it, and loved it! My sons and husband did it. 🙂  I had to quickly sneak out a few pieces to stick in the freezer for a school lunch!! But, it’s so quick and easy, that I don’t mind making it again. And again. And again. 🙂

Only SEVEN ingredients, and about 5 minutes of work. I can handle that. 😉

Hmm, so good. I barely had time to snap a picture of the granola bars on a plate before he grabbed one. 🙂

Next time, I’ll add some ground flax to it, and may substitute some of the rice cereal for sunflower seeds or something. But it really doesn’t need any changing, it’s quite yummy as is. 🙂

Granola Bars Thursday, Apr 28 2011 

These granola bars are delicious and healthy! The left granola bar, in the above picture, was made with ground flax, small dried apples, mini (very mini!) marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips. A favourite for children! The one on the right was made with ground flax, almond pieces, dried apples, and dried cranberries. Very delicious!

Granola Bars

3 cups oats
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
4 tsp vanilla
1 cup extras, such as dried fruits, flax, mini marshmallow, mini chocolate chips, etc
Place oats, pecans, coconut and wheat germ in a pan and toast at 350 for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring often.
Melt honey, brown sugar, butter and vanilla on medium heat. Add the “extras” to the oats. Pour the melted ingredients over the dry and mix until all coated. Line 9×13 pan with wax paper; pour in granola mix. Press down with another wax paper. Let cool (about 2hrs). Turn pan over and cut into bars. Wrap individually (or place a few in ziploc bags) and store in the fridge. You won’t regret making these! 🙂