Styleberry Granola Bars

Thursday, May 2, 2013

One of my favorite blogs posted a granola bar recipe recently so I though I would share! These are great! They make a bunch of bars and you know exactly what is in them! I remember when I started eating "clean" I was so frustrated that so many granola bars that advertise themselves to be "healthy" were full of junk that I didn't want. These bars are easy to make and while their "form" isn't that of a store bough bar, they don't fall apart terribly like others I have tried. Okay so here it is...



Ingredients
  • 4 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 cups sliced almonds
  • 2-3 cups raw nuts (sunflower seeds, pepitas, pistachios, walnut pieces etc) I used pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. 
  • 1-2 cup raw shredded coconut
  • 1 cup wheat germ 
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 tb pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup chopped dried fruit (pitted dates, dried apricots, cherries and/or cranberries) I used cherries
  • CHIA SEEDS! My new favorite, if you don't have them, no biggie but they are SO healthy. Just add a couple spoon fulls to the mixture for added health.
Directions
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Toss the oats, nuts, wheat germ and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. 
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
  • Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over low-medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour in the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dried fruit and stir well.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dishes. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan, or use more parchment paper to press it down.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. (If it’s not cooked enough, they will crumble and break).
  • Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Enjoy!


2 comments:

  1. Pinned it! Would love to know more about your clean eating adventures. My husband and I started down that avenue about 6 months ago and it's been challenging but rewarding. I can't manage to give up my coffee creamer or sweets (love me some chocolate). Otherwise, I feel like we are doing really good. Are you familiar with www.100daysofrealfood.com? Her blog has been super helpful and insightful in our journey. I would love to know where you get your smoothie recipes from...I've been trying some kale ones but decided a new blender needed to be my Mothers Day gift (think chunky smoothie - yuck!). Do you have a vitamix?

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is awesome that ya'll are getting clean Lindsy! It is life changing for sure! Oh believe me, I can't live with out chocolate either! I will have to check out that website, sounds great! ohhhhh no you cant have chunky smoothies!!!! Yes I have a vitamix and LOVE it! I use is DAILY!

    ReplyDelete

Blog Design by Nudge Media Design | Powered by Blogger