Thursday, July 7, 2011

the best homemade granola bars ever


inspired by the posts
here, here, and here,
and the recipes
here, herehere, and most of all here.
we have been experimenting with
homemade granola bars.

my goal was to find a recipe we loved
so that i could pack homemade goodness
in lunchboxes this fall.


dear reader, i present to you
the best homemade granola bars ever
adapted & simplified from smitten kitchen


dry ingredients:
2 cups oats {leave one cup whole, blend the other}
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup each: almonds, pecans, cashews, cranberries, dates
{note: i chopped & toasted the nuts} 
{note: i used whole dates, so i chopped them, too}
{note: swap in your favorites: coconut, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds}

wet ingredients:
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
3 Tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla

add last:
1/3 cup almond butter

directions:
preheat oven to 350°
line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment {grease pan & parchment}.
mix dry ingredients.
mix wet ingredients.
add wet to dry, then add almond butter.
mix well.
with wet hands, firmly press mixture into prepared pan.
bake 40 minutes until golden.
allow to cool, then slice into bars.
{note: they will crumble less if you freeze them before cutting.}
wrap individually in waxed paper & store in fridge or freezer.


hello, rosa.
do you see her brown feathers coming in?
do you see the sweet tuft on her cheek?


hello, ned.

4 comments:

Vava (aka Virginia) said...

Catie-bug....you + the kitchen are one. Your family is blessed. These sound SO good!!! Gotta figure out how I could make 'em "gluten free." xoxo

Emily said...

Looks amazing! Hi sweet Rosa!

Dianne said...

You and Rosa are so attached...how will you ever let her go? Perhaps you won't?

Forever in my heart said...

I got to meet rosa for the first time tonight at Dawn's, she adorable. You have done a wonderful job with her. I am so happy I got to see her.
Emily

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