I've lost count of how many batches I've made of this recipe lately. I think I'm up to five in the last two or three weeks.
I've changed up (added to) the recipe ever so slightly. Which means, in Nichole speak, I added chocolate (just a smidgen), among a few other minor details. I suppose this drops it down a notch on the health -o- meter. But c'mon. This is me we are talking about. Everything in moderation is my motto. 'Cept chocolate and bacon and butter. Oh my...I'm airing out my closet for all to see! Yikes.
When I've made the granola bars, the only down side is that they are more crumbly that firm (at least in the first day or so). If they last beyond a day, they tend to firm up more. Maybe the crumbly issue happens because I have used honey instead of corn syrup and/or that I haven't used enough. I'm okay with that. They are still delicious.
So here is what I've been putting in the recipe.
- 1 2/3 c oatmeal
- 1/3 c oat flour
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 c suguar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 c honey
- 1/3 cup almond butter
- 6 TBS butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
The following mixed together to add up to 2 to 3 cups:
- sunflower seeds
- cranberries
- raisins
- flax seed
- coconut flakes
- chocolate chips
- walnuts or pecans
Basically, you could add whatever dried fruit, nuts, or seeds that you have on hand. If you run out of one ingredient, no worries, just wing it, as long as it comes to about 2 to 3 cups of combined fruit, nut, seed, and (chocolate).
In all honesty, I've probably been adding no more than 1/4 cup of chocolate chips. See, it's not that much. Just a little something extra.
Mix the dry. Mix the wet. Mix together. Pour into 8 X 8 pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 mintues. Serious yum.
