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March 13, 2013 By Jenny

At our house, the “go to” snack has always been the granola bar.  Recently, as the price of a box of granola bars has sky rocketed. And also realizing the nutritional value of most granola bars are typically the same as a candy bar – I had to bust out the big guns and create a Homemade Granola Bars Recipe.

What we LOVE about this simple homemade granola bar recipe, is that the options are endless.  You can pick and choose your own ingredients to your own liking.  From peanut butter and chocolate chips to any dried fruit and any combination of your favorite nuts, pretzels, coconut or sunflower seeds .  And to make it a healthy bar, we will sometimes add wheat germ or ground flax-seed.

One of our favorite combination is the Cinnamon Raisin granola bar.  We created this recipe after many (and I do mean many) tries at different recipes.

Mix the oats (Tip – don’t substitute the quick oats with rolled oats, your bars will fall apart!) and coconut. We normally do not add coconut to this recipe, but Chef E decided that was an ingredient he wanted to add.  We like to mix things up a bit, so why not, and in went the coconut!  And to kick it up a notch, you can also toast the oats and coconut in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.  Add the rice cereal and the remaining dry ingredients.

In a saucepan combine the butter, sugar, and honey (if you were adding peanut or almond butter, you would also add it to the butter mixture) bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about 2 minutes. Take off heat and let cool just a bit then add the vanilla.

  

Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients.  Pour the mixture in a parchment lined pan and press hard to make sure they are compact.  (Tip – cover the top of the granola with plastic wrap and take another pan that is the same size and press down on the granola to make them even and compact).  Throw the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, cut into bars  – and enjoy!!!

This recipe is intended to be able to change the ingredients up to however you like and make your own favorite granola bars…..the options are endless.  What is your favorite granola bar flavor combination recipe!!??

And don’t forget to check back tomorrow to find out who the lucky winner is and make sure you link up to our Fantastic Thursday which now starts Wednesday nights at 10 pm (MST).

For another great snack idea try our Baked Cinnamon Sugar Churros or our Pretzel Bites recipe!

Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Granola Bars

Ingredients

  • 2 c quick oats
  • 1 c crispy rice cereal
  • 3 T wheat germ
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 c raisins
  • 1/4 c butter
  • 1/2 c honey
  • 1/3 c dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl combine oats, rice cereal, wheat germ, cinnamon and raisins
  2. In a saucepan melt the butter and add honey, brown sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 2 minutes. Take off heat and add vanilla.
  3. Pour melted mixture over dry ingredients until well combines and all ingredients are well moistened.
  4. Pour mixture into a parchment lined 9 X 13 pan and press firmly to make your bars very compact, then press them again just for good measure and to make sure they are nice and tight!
  5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, cut into bars and enjoy!

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http://www.fivelittlechefs.com/2013/03/granola-bars-recipe.html

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