Homemade Granola Bars (Health or Energy Bars)
photo by Lalaloula
- Ready In:
- 2hrs 45mins
- Ingredients:
- 13
- Yields:
-
16 bars
- Serves:
- 16
ingredients
- 2 1⁄2 cups rolled oats
- 1⁄2 cup wheat germ
- 1⁄4 cup flax seed
- 1⁄4 cup sesame seeds
- 1 cup almonds, sliced (or other chopped nuts like cashews, walnuts, peanuts, macadamias or pecans)
- 1⁄2 cup shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1⁄2 cup honey
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup dried cranberries (or other chopped dried fruit like raisins, pineapple, apricots, cherries, papaya, prunes, white or c)
directions
- Preheat the oven to 325. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Combine the oats, wheat germ, flax seeds, sesame seeds and almonds; spread out evenly on the rimmed baking sheet and toast for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until golden, stirring occasionally and watching carefully so as not to burn.
- In the meantime, in a large bowl combine salt, coconut, cinnamon and dried cranberries; set aside.
- In a large measuring cup place the vanilla, honey, butter and brown sugar. Microwave approximately 2 minutes. Mixture will foam and bubble. Stir to completely dissolve brown sugar.
- When oat mixture is done toasting, transfer to the same bowl with coconut mixture and stir to evenly combine. Add the honey mixture and stir to incorporate.
- Line a 9” x 13” baking pan with waxed paper. Spread the mixture, using the back of a wooden spoon, pressing to create a smooth, even surface. Place another piece of waxed paper over the top, pressing down to evenly compact the mixture. Compacting is important so the bars won’t fall apart when cut. (Suggestion: place one pan of same size within the other and press to even out mixture.).
- Refrigerate and completely cool the mixture about 2 hours to assure a clean cut. Firmly press down with a large knife to cut into bars. Do not saw. Wrap bars in waxed paper and store in refrigerator or freezer.
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Reviews
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Fantastic granola bars! I made them using all the defaults except that I used agave nectar for honey because I was out of honey. Agave nectar is sweeter than honey, so I realize that I didn't need to add any of the sugar for that reason; I also believe another reviewer who suggested these are fine without the sugar, so I will use honey and omit the sugar next time. I can definitely see the mix/match possibilities with this recipe as gailanng and previous reviewers have suggested. I did notice that the bars were firm when I removed them from the 'fridge and started to fall apart as they came to room temp. Even so, I took a plate of them to work and everyone who tried them enjoyed them and one person even asked for the recipe. Thanks, gailanng! Made for Aussie Kiwi Recipe Swap #47 December 2010.
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I've never made a granola bar, and these turned out really great. I have to admit that though I was making a half-batch, I stuck with the original amounts for the wheat germ, sesame seeds, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. I used pecans and cranberries, and left out the coconut. I also cut them into squares instead of long bars...they are a perfect size when you just want something sweet but don't really need much. Absolutely love the flavor combination.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
gailanng
United States
I'm just me, mother, grandmother...friend to many and a Louisianian. My Cajun and French Quarter Italian descent afforded me exposure to some of the best of foods. My passions are my family, decorating, cooking and gardening. Those very passions push me into constant awareness with always looking for something new to delight the senses, thus my favorite idiom...Inspire me, puuuullllllleeeeeeease! ...and I mean it, too. God Bless America!