Wednesday, June 29, 2011

What's cookin'?

Jason's been busy in the kitchen making granola bars. We started out with Alton Brown's granola bar recipe. It was good, but Jason really wanted to pack as much shtuff into the bar as possible. And I'm sure more tweakage will be coming, but this is what we have settled on for now. They're yummy. You should make some today.

Jason's Granola Bars
4 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/8 cup sesame seeds

2 cups mixed nuts (we use almonds, walnuts, peanuts, whatever we have on hand)
1 cup wheat germ
2 cups chopped dried fruit
(we use dried cherries, cranberries, and apricots)
1 cup coconut flakes

1 cup honey

1/2 cup date syrup

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup nutella
(we had some on hand and felt the urge to include the deliciousness in the bars, but it is totally optional)

4 Tbsp coconut oil
4 tsp vanilla extract


Oil a 9x13 pan.

Preheat oven to 300.

Spread oats, seeds, nuts, wheat germ, and coconut flakes on dry cookie sheet. Toast for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.

Combine honey, peanut butter, nutella, coconut oil, and vanilla in saucepan. Place over medium heat. Cook until all ingredients are nicely mixed and melted together.

Once the oat mixture is done, take it out of the oven and add to the liquids. Add in dried fruit and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into prepared dish. Smooth out and press down. Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool COMPLETELY. Cut into squares and store for up to a week in an airtight container.

3 comments:

Grace said...

Thanks! I've been thinking about making granola bars, I will need to try this recipe.

Abby said...

This looks better than our recipe. I will definitely try it.

shellie said...

I am going to try this also. Jason-is this a little reminiscent(sic) of the many healthy thngs grandma made (I think I remember her doing granola bars and of course there is fruit leather which I believe she is going to make this summer for the many greats in the family.)