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Sunday, August 30, 2009

Pre-Made Our Way: Granola Bars

I love making my own stuff! Bread, yogurt, pancake mix, even cheese once! This fun challenge is hosted by Natalie at Oven Love, and comes at just the right time. Make your own granola bars! We are going to a big camping event and I was just getting around to thinking about the food for that weekend. These will make a perfect snack! Natalie shared some links when she posted this challenge and I followed those to this wonderful bar from Kristin at The Kitchen Sink Recipes. Man, does she have some gorgeous recipes there! I'll be making this and this in the very near future. YUM!

Nuts and seeds waiting to be toasted. Pretty, huh!

Syrup ingredients waiting to get melty.

Mmmmm, smells wonderful!

Prep square pan with parchment.

10 minutes later, all toasted.

Into the bowl along with the fruit. I went with tart cherries, yum!

Pour in the syrup.

Stir with a wooden spoon. For, like, 100 years. It will come together eventually!

Dump into pan.

Tamp down with a measuring cup. This part was fun :)

Bake for 30 minutes.

Let cool for evvvvvvver. Really. 2+ hours.

Cut up into bars. Lots of bits fell off the bars. Yummy bits. Somebody had to eat them!

Sponge Bob. Sponge Bob ate them.

The rhino smelled something wonderful and came to investigate.

Seriously, these bars will draw a crowd!



Granola Bars
Adapted from Kristin at The Kitchen Sink Recipes


2 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup flax seeds

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1 cup whole almonds
1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup peanut butter (I used chunky)
1 cup dried tart cherries


Preheat the oven to
325 degrees.
Line a sheet pan and an 8x8" pan with parchment. (Make 'handles' on the 8" pan)

On the sheet pan, combine the
oats, coconut, seeds and almonds.
Toast in the oven for
15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium pan over medium heat, combine
salt, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, brown sugar, and peanut butter.
Keep warm after sugar has dissolved.

Transfer toasted
seed and nut mixture to a large bowl.
Add
cherries.
Pour sugar mixture over
nuts and cherries and mix well.
Pack into 8" pan with the back of a measuring cup.

Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let
cool completely on a wire rack.
Use the parchment 'handles' to remove granola to a cutting board.

Using a long, sharp knife, cut into 1" bars.
Cut the bars in half.

Store in airtight container.

Hide from roaming Ninja Turtles.





7 comments:

Its So Very Cheri said...

Cute pictures.


Just coming over for a visit. I have changed all of my buttons.
I have the Knock Off Knock Out party on Mondays and we have a brand new party starting this week. It will be every Wed and featuring Holiday Decor and/or tasty treats. Come on by.

Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

Its So Very Cheri said...

I am so sorry this is doing all of this to you as well but I guess it makes me feel a little better knowing I am not totally insane. I am going to post you comment at the top where I have given an update of what people know has been done so if someone knows anything about this they can help. This just doesn't make any sense at all.

Cheri

Its So Very Cheri said...

The difference I have found so far --as far as whether I can get to a blog or not is if they have the links. If you go back into my followers and look at yours-after the ABOUT ME there is the link and your moms doesn't have that. Can you find a difference between your account and your mom that relates to links?

Your moms account not only doesn't show a picture but it had that silhouette.
Thanks for looking and trying to help.
Cheri

oneordinaryday said...

These look delicious and would be great in lunchboxes. I think it's hilarious that you have attracted such an eclectic crowd. : )

mub said...

These look fantastic, I can't wait to make them!!!

Jennie said...

Thanks, Michelle! I always seem to have an audience in the kitchen :) Kids, dog, Spongebob. . . BTW, I put a lid on my boiling water yesterday and thought of you :)

Mub, let me know how you like them!

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction said...

These look delicious! I love your first picture of the nuts and seeds! I loved this challenge, and I am looking forward to trying everyone else's granola bar recipes!