If your kids are like mine 90% of the food they eat seems to be in snack form. And who can blame them. Snack food is just yummy and fun. I have no problem with cookies and chips but I like to see them eat healthy things too. One of our family favorites is these homemade granola bars. In fact, they were the first treat requested by my husband for his 24 hr. bike a thon. The first time I made them, I couldn't wait and had to sample them right out of the pan! They bake up pretty quickly and are full of good for you oatmeal, almonds and honey. They also use everyday ingredients you are likely to have in your kitchen already. You can vary the nuts and swap the chocolate chips for different types of dried fruit. Craisins and white chocolate chips, peanut butter and chocolate chips, the possibilities are endless. I like mine a little on the chewy side and prefer them within a day or two (if they even last that long). After that they are still good, but won't be as chewy.
Homemade Granola Bars
For the Love of Cooking adapted from Alton Brown's Recipe
2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup of honey
1/4 cup of brown sugar
2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup of shredded coconut
1/4 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup of honey
1/4 cup of brown sugar
2 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup of shredded coconut
1/4 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips
Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spread the oats and almonds onto a baking sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the brown sugar mixture, next add the coconut and chocolate chips then stir to combine. Spread mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Cut into squares or bars, wrap individually in saran wrap then store in an airtight container for up to a week. Makes about 8 bars.
Spread the oats and almonds onto a baking sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the brown sugar mixture, next add the coconut and chocolate chips then stir to combine. Spread mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Cut into squares or bars, wrap individually in saran wrap then store in an airtight container for up to a week. Makes about 8 bars.
Posted by:Sallie
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