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:
- 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.
Adapted from Alton Brown
