Granola Bars
20th July, 2009 - Posted by Emily - Comments
I’m one of those people that leaves myself the exact amount of time in the morning that I need to get ready and refuse to wake up any earlier, even if it’s for breakfast at home. I’m out of bed at 6:50am and out the door at 7:30am which leaves me just enough time to let the dog out and get ready, but nothing else. So I bring my breakfast to work to eat at my desk. Usually it’s yogurt and fruit, or sometimes a granola bar. I really try to limit the amount of processed foods I eat and I do enjoy making things from scratch (which I hope you already know from reading my blog!). I was watching Barefoot Contessa this weekend on the Food Network and she made granola bars. I think these will be perfect to take with me to work! These bars are super moist and chewy. I hope you find time to make your own!
Granola Bars
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa (note: I cut the recipe in half because I can’t eat 12 granola bars on my own)
Makes 6 bars
1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup wheat bran
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup honey
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 cup mini chocolate chips (or whatever you like: the original recipe calls for dried apricots, dates, and cranberries)
Put oats, almonds, and coconut on baking sheet and toast in the oven at 350 degrees until lightly browned, about 10 minutes (stirring occasionally). Meanwhile, melt butter, honey, sugar, and vanilla in small saucepan over low heat. Let cool slightly. Place oat mixture and wheat bran in large bowl, then stir in the honey mixture and chocolate chips.
Line a loaf pan or small baking dish with parchment paper (to help you remove the bars easily). Spread granola into pan and bake at 300 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Let sit at room temperature for a few hours to harden before cutting into bars. Wrap each bar in parchment paper and store at room temperature.