Simple Granola Bars

Simple Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1/2 cup wheat germ (or wheat bran or ground flax, or mixture)

• 3/4 t ground cinnamon

• 1 C whole wheat flour

• 3/4-1 C raisins (I usually throw in a full cup)

• 3/4 t salt

• 1/2 C oil (I have used olive oil or canola oil)

• 1/2 C honey

• 1 beaten egg

• 2 t vanilla extract

• Variations: craisins, coconut, mini chocolate chips, slivered almonds, etc

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line with waxed or parchment paper a 9x13 baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, stir together oats, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the honey, egg, oil, and vanilla. Mix well with a spoon or fork until all moistened evenly. Put into prepared pan and smooth out, pressing down evenly with spatula. 

3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, just until edges start to brown/golden. Cool for 5-10 minutes and then lift out the squares (the waxed or parchment paper makes this easy) and cut into squares. Best to cut while still warm.  Store in air tight container. 

Makes 18 medium sized granola bars. (I cut once lengthwise and then 8 times width wise in the 9x13 to make 18 bars). 

Notes:

We eat a lot of granola bars around here, especially as we are on the go. Making my own saves a lot of money and they are much healthier than many of the processed kinds. I have tried many recipes but I keep coming back to this one. It can be changed quite a bit (if you don't have wheat germ, that's okay!). I like that they pack well and don't fall apart as some do. Full of protein and whole grains, they are filling - which is a must in our snack department! The boys like to grab one as we head to the playground, I bring some in a tupperware when we are out and about, or they throw one in their lunches. I try to make these weekly, although I'm sure we would eat more if I made them more often! I haven't tried, but I'm sure they freeze well, too. Very simple to stir together and pop in the oven, so I feel like they are still convenient and worth making instead of buying.

Source: Adapted from and picture credit:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/playgroup-granola-bars/detail.aspx

Granola

6 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup coconut
1/3 c. sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries are extra yummy)
1 cup almonds (sliced or whole – you decide how chunky you want it)

Mix all ingredients together except for the craisins.

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup honey
2 tsp. vanilla

Pour over dry mixture.  Stir and coat thoroughly. 

Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.  Stir frequently to insure even baking.  Add craisins or any other dried fruit you’d like during the last 5 min. of baking.  It is important to watch this baking process very carefully.  The cereal should be golden brown.  Do not over-bake.
Makes 8 cups.