the best homemade granola bars ever

inspired by the posts

here, here, and here,

and the recipes

here, here, here, 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.