Chewy Granola Bars

              
I have my favorite granola bars, the ones I like making and eating, those are the ones that disappear around here.  They are the ones I make very regularly.  Mainly because I cant stand paying those high prices for granola bars.  If you buy them all the time and then make your own, you can save A LOT of money.  I mean a lot.

These are quite delicious and quite versatile.  You can change up the add ins as you like.  I list what the kids like to put in them but you can certainly change it up.  So, say, instead of sunflower seeds, you could add peanuts.  Instead of chocolate chips, maybe cinnamon chips.  The coconut really gives it chew so I would not substitute that.  If you don't like coconut then maybe try this granola recipe instead.

Chewy Granola Bars

2 1/2 rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup nuts
1 cup chips (chocolate butterscotch, peanut butter, white...)

Preheat oven to 350F.

Mix the oats, coconut and the wheat germ together.  Add in condensed milk and butter.  It will be hard to mix but keep at it, it will come together.  Finally, add in the in the nuts and chips.

Press the dough into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan.  Use the back of a rubber spatula to flatten the top. You can wet it a little if it begins to stick.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, just until golden around the edges.  Score bars after it cools for ten minutes.

Just Like The Boxed Stuff Granola Bars

 

Ask me what recipes I have tried like over and over again and I would have to say brownies, chocolate cake and granola Bars.  I have shared a lot of granola bar recipes on my blog. Here is my go to one.  Now, I shall share a new go to one. Mind you I will still make my old go to but this is a very nice change up.  Albeit a lot more butter...

Just Like The Boxed Stuff Granola Bars
You can halve this recipe and use a 9 x 13. It will be a longer baking time and the bars will be chewy.

5 cup quick oats
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Grease a 22 x 16. Beat butter with brown sugar and salt. Add in the vanilla and honey until combined.  Add the remainder of ingredients. Press into a full sheet baking pan with clean damp hands.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Score the bars when they first come out of the oven then let them cool completely and then cut into bars. 

Granola Bites

Some beautiful; Spring weather around here yesterday and today.  We were able to enjoy a lot of time outside yesterday. We went looking for tad poles. When I was a kid I would ride my bike down to this little creek about 3/4 of a mile away from my house and gather up some tad poles.  I would bring them home and watch them grow into little frogs, then I would take them back to the creek or release them.

I wanted my daughters to enjoy that so my husband and I decided to take them. I think we were too early, maybe- no tadpoles yet... I will keep you posted.

I tasted these at a Potluck sort of thing.  Asked the lady for the recipe because I had to have it.  Love these.  

Granola Bites

3/4 cup pancake syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter or oil
3 cups oats, toasted
1/4 cup chocolate chips or candy coated chocolate
3 tablespoons peanut butter ( a bit heaping)
handful of sliced almonds
1/2 cup sweetened coconut

In a 350F oven toast the oatmeal on a cookie sheet until lightly golden.

While the oats are toasting, gather up your ingredients.  In a saucepan place sugar, syrup, oil/butter and peanut butter.  Place on medium heat and melt.  Whisk together until it bubbles.  In a large mixing bowl, place coconut and almonds.  When oats are done put in mixing bowl.  Pour heated peanut butter mixture into oat mixture and stir.  Spoon into a parchment lined 8 x 8 baking pan.  Using the back of a spatula push down ont he mixture, until flat and even.  When a little cool sprinkle chocolate chips on top.  Cut when somewhat cooled but before it is too hard. Let cool completely.

Almond Granola Bars

These granolas are chewy and tasty.  I really like the texture of these. They are not very sweet.  If you wish them to be sweeter add sugar or honey.  I don't mind them less sweet, really.  My one daughter loves them for breakfast.  My other daughter does not like them as much because they are not sweet enough.

Package them all up and ship them off in your kids lunches. Or grab one to go on the way to work.  They are something substantial for you to eat and are good for you.


 

I like to wrap them in wax paper. You can use stickers to seal the paper.

Almond Granola Bars


2 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
1/2 cup almond meal
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (optional
1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350F.

Mix dry ingredients together, except for the chocolate chips.  Mix in the milk and butter.  It will be hard to mix, very dry but keep going, it will come together.  If you need to add a couple tablespoons of milk that will help. About mid way through the mixing process add in the chocolate chips.

Spread out in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes.  Edges should be golden.

Granola Bars Make Ahead

Premix stuff is awesome.  It's fast food from scratch.  I don't know about you but half the time it takes to make something is getting everything out. If it is something you make all the time, premix it.  You can just add the wet ingredients and your done.

This is my favorite granola bar recipe that I make pretty often during the school year.  It is great for a fast breakfast, lunches and snacks.

Layer it as follows, flour and salt on the bottom, cinnamon on top of that wheat germ and oats on top of that followed by the brown sugar.  Seal up in the jar.  When ready to mix, stir in oil, honey, vanilla and egg.  Done!

GRANOLA BARS

2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9 x 13.

In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients. Make a well and add wet ingredients. Mix well, I use a fork to mix. Using the back of a rubber spatula flatten granola into pan and smooth. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bars turn golden at the edges. Cool 5 minutes and cut into bars or squares. Do not allow them to dry completely as they will be very difficult to cut.

If you want more crunch , patiently smooth out in a baking sheet. I also have added another half batch and smoothed it out in a jelly roll pan.

You can add all kinds of mix in, cranberries, almonds, marshmallows (minis), chocolate chips, the list goes on!

Flax Seed and Blueberry Granola Bars

Dehydrated blueberries are pretty pricey at the store.  I figured I'd give them a try.  Some things dehydrate well- apples, pineapple and bananas.  Blueberries, well, lets just say it had its challenges.  In the end it was worth it though.  I tucked most of it away for winter time munching and baking but saved a few to add to these bars.  The bars were sensational. I love the flax taste and the chewiness that the coconut adds.

I went a little wild and slathered some white chocolate on top, yah know, to get the kids to get my one daughter to eat them more.  My husband thought that was a fine idea and gobbled the rest of them up.  Gone!

Flax Seed and Blueberry Granola Bars

4 ounces butter
2 cups old fashioned oats
3/4 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup coconut, flaked
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons blueberry honey (you could use whatever honey you like)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup dried blueberries
1 egg white, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350F.  Line and 8 x 8 baking sheet with parchment paper, extending it ove the sides.  Mix dry ingredients with egg white, set aside.  In a saucepan combine butter, honey and brown sugar.  Bring to a boil.  Remove from heat and add to oat mixture.  Stir in vanilla.

Pour mixture into baking pan and bake for 30 minutes or until golden.  Cool on wire rack. Lift bars when cooled to cutting bars and cut into whatever size pieces you like.