Thursday, March 17, 2011

Homemade Granola Bars

Few months ago I was looking for a recipe for a protein bar when I stumbled upon a granola bar recipe. After few tries I adjusted it to my family's liking and that's how this granola bar recipe was born. I've already tried to put different fruits and seeds in it and so far this combination is my favorite. 

To make those granola bars you will need: 

Dry ingredients.
  • 2 cups rolled or quick oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (or 1/2 cup if not using flax seeds)
  • 1/4 cup flax seeds
  • 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • dash of ground cloves 
  • 1/2 tsp salt
 Wet ingredients.
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup apple sauce
  • 1/2 cup olive or canola oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

First, dump all of the dry ingredients into a big bowl.


Then, in a small bowl whisk together wet ingredients.

Yes, I know, I should wash the stove...

Line 9 x 13 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.


Pour wet ingredient mixture into a bowl with dry ingredients and mix well. It's best to use your hand.

Yes, I did wash my hands. 

Now dump the mixture into prepared dish.


Cover with plastic wrap...


and press it down to make an even layer


like this one!
Even is my middle name ;o)

Hello, my name is Agata and I have OCD. Thank you.


Remove plastic wrap


and bake it at 350° F for 15 to 20 minutes for chewy bars or 20 to 25 for crunchy bars.


Let it cool for 2 minutes or so and using pizza cutter...


cut into 16 more or less even bars. I know, they should be more even...

Now, when still warm, eat at least 2. That will make me feel better :o)
Warning! When they are still warm they are dangerously delicious. Last time I made them I ate 4. But I'm breastfeeding so... well, maybe, just maybe that have something to do with it. But maybe not :o)
 
Leave them in a pan to cool completely less they fall apart.


When they are ready remove them from the pan by lifting the foil (makes for easy clean up). Make sure to cut through all the areas pizza cutter couldn't reach in a dish. Wrap them in a plastic wrap and...


rejoice that you have 16 (ok, maybe 14 or 12 by now) yummy homemade granola bars and that you saved money and you don't have to google anything from ingredients list (unless you are a foreigner like me and you're not sure is the stuff in your cupboard a wheat germ or a wheat bran ;o))
Try them! They are easy to make and yummy!

Oh yeah, and don't forget to experiment with you favorite fruit and nuts. And when you do, leave me a comment, ok?

5 comments:

  1. (1) Love the blog! So glad you started one!

    (2) I am eating one of these granola bars as I write this post. I think my favorite mix so far has been dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and peanuts, although the one you made me with dried apricots, chocolate chips, and sunflower seeds was pretty fab too!

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  2. I love your new blog! Great step by step instructions with pictures on how to bake. I'm excited!

    Brendan
    http://tentmakinginpoland.blogspot.com/

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  3. Okay, now I am REALLY hungry!
    Delicious! And I was *just* at the store looking at wheat germ and thinking, "I don't need that this week." Ugh. :-/

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  4. They look fabulous. I'll have to try them some time.

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  5. LOVE it. I'm so stoked you are blogging now!!! And those look soooo good. :D

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