2.01.2015

Awesome Granola Bars



Dave and I used to buy granola bars all the time, but sadly they were never 100% satisfying.  I have always wanted to try to make my own, but I thought it wouldn't be worth the effort.   I was wrong!! :)

Ingredients
8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats (approx. 2 cups) 
1 1/2 ounces raw sunflower seeds (approx. 1/2 cup)
3 ounces sliced almonds  (approx. 1 cup)
1 1/2 ounces wheat germ  (approx. 1/2 cup) 
6 ounces honey  (approx. 1/2 cup) 
1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar  (approx. 1/4 cup packed)
1 ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan 
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
toppings, such as chocolate or shaved coconut

Directions:


  • Cut parchment paper to fit a 9"x13" baking dish, and rub on a thin layer of butter. (We used a smaller dish, and thought the bars came out too thick. Next time we will use the 9"x13")
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
  • Mix the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ together, and spread out on a sheet pan. Toast for 15 minutes, making sure to stir the mixture occasionally. 

  • Combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla bean paste, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar has dissolved. 


  • Reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. 
  • Combine the oat mixture with the liquid mixture, and spread out in prepared baking dish (press firmly).  Sprinkle any other additional ingredients on top  


  • Bake for 25 minutes.

  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares while it is still a bit warm.


We stored the granola bars in a plastic container, and enjoyed them all week.  Since they were so thick, it was a little hard to bite through them, so we warmed them up in the microwave for about 15 seconds.  I think if we use the bigger pan next time, we won't have that issue!



Ingredients
8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats (approx. 2 cups) 
1 1/2 ounces raw sunflower seeds (approx. 1/2 cup)
3 ounces sliced almonds  (approx. 1 cup)
1 1/2 ounces wheat germ  (approx. 1/2 cup) 
6 ounces honey  (approx. 1/2 cup) 
1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar  (approx. 1/4 cup packed)
1 ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan 
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
toppings, such as chocolate or shaved coconut

Directions:
  1. Cut parchment paper to fit a 9"x13" baking dish, and rub on a thin layer of butter. (We used a smaller dish, and thought the bars came out too thick. Next time we will use the 9"x13")
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
  3. Mix the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ together, and spread out on a sheet pan. Toast for 15 minutes, making sure to stir the mixture occasionally. 
  4. Combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla bean paste, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar has dissolved. 
  5. Reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. 
  6. Combine the oat mixture with the liquid mixture, and spread out in prepared baking dish (press firmly).  Sprinkle any other additional ingredients on top  
  7. Bake for 25 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares while it is still a bit warm.


Adapted from Alton Brown

No comments:

Post a Comment