Yum yum yum in my tum tum tum. Alright, that’s a bit silly, I know, but I can’t help myself. I love it when Stacey makes granola bars. She first started making granola after trying to find a low-sugar cereal at the grocery store, after the search proved futile she felt that it would be better just to make it herself. So, now, after making several versions of granola she decided to create these tasty treats. Even though they are granola bars, packed with healthy fruits and nuts, the fact that they have CHOCOLATE makes them good enough to be a dessert. Even better, it’s an excuse to have chocolate for breakfast!
The smell of toasted coconut and almonds coming out of the kitchen set the stage for this delicious treat. Packed with a slew of dried fruits and roasted nuts, these little bars can do a number on even the most ravenous of appetites.
The Method to Granola:
Grains: 2 1/2 cups ( Oats, Rye, etc)
Seeds: 1 cup (peanuts, sunflower, almonds, pecans, walnuts, chia, pumpkin seeds, etc)
Sticky: 1/4 cup (honey, agave nectar, molasses, maple syrup)
Dried Fruits: 1 cup (apricots, cranberries, raisins, strawberries, blueberries, etc)
Binder: 1 1/2 cup (puree dates, ripe bananas, peanut butter, apple butter, almond butter, unsweetened applesauce)
For my granola bars:
- I used 2 cups of oats, and 1/2 cup of coconut, and 1 cup of almonds and pecans, with a good sprinkle of cinnamon, which I then put on a sheet pan and toasted till light brown.
- I took one banana, and a handful of chopped dates (about 3-4 dates), and about a 1/2 cup of applesauce and puree in a blender.
- I then added 1/4 cup of honey to wet binder.
- Then, in a bowl I gathered all my additional ingredients: 1/2 cup of cranberries and 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips.
- When the oats, coconut are toasted and cooled, add to the bowl of ingredients, as well as wet binder ingredients.
- Line a rectangular baking dish with parchment paper, then fill the dish with your granola, pack firmly and bake at 325 degrees for 24 minutes.
- Immediately, after place in freezer for an hour or until firm.
- Cut into bar shapes and store in airtight container.
Granola bars are one of my favorite snacks, so I’m totally on board with the idea of making your own. These look so yummy, and the pictures are gorgeous! I’m definitely pinning them!
-Alyssa
The Glossy Life
I adore your blog!!!!
Thank you so kindly Maureen. You and your lovely ladies are doing wonderful work at Anders Ruff. So fun and inspiring. Thanks again for the comment. xo