In preparation for a few camping/hiking trips coming up for us and looking on the backs of granola bar boxes, (most are glorified candy bars filled with artificial flavors, colors and high fructose corn syrup)
I decided to see how easy it would be to make my own. I just grabbed this recipe off the net and added my own twists. The one on the left is chocolate chip with Reese's pieces and the one on the right is dried blueberries.
Let me know if you try it or if you have an even better recipe. I'd like to experiment with different mix-ins. Such as cinnamon and dried apples or peanut butter with raisins (PB&J). Here's the core of the recipe:
2 1/2 cups Oatmeal (instant or old-fashioned)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (adds Omega 3)
1/2 cup chopped peanuts (because they were in my cabinet)
the original recipe also called for this, but I didn't like or have it so add it if you want:
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
Take the dry ingredients and cook them in a 300* preheated oven for about 18-25 minutes (the longer the crunchier), stirring occasionally. Just this creates a yummy warm, nutty smell in your house! Then on the stove combine these ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer:
4 Tblsp butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
Pull out the dry ingredients and this is where you get creative. Add the ingredients that make the bar you want.
The original recipe called for 2 teaspoons of vanilla to be added to the wet ingredients at this time, but I forgot. I don't think it affected the outcome of the bars, especially the chocolate one. Anyway combine the dry and wet ingredients until evenly coated and spread out onto a waxed/parchment paper lined cookie sheet or pan. (the smaller the pan, the thicker the bars.) Lay another piece of waxed paper on top and compress with a rolling pin. While the bars are still pretty warm (or the paper sticks really bad) flip them out of the pan/cookie sheet and let them cool and dry. Once they're fairly cooled, cut and package them. Using a 9x12 cookie sheet, I got 24 bars (roughly the same size and shape of a store bought bar).
These are so yummy, I don't know if they will last for our trips!
We had a great time this weekend camping and hiking to Crow Creek Falls. Laura Beth was an amazing hiker almost 8 months pregnant (and actually kicked mine and Jesse's hineys on the hike)! We had an awesome camping spot right by a bridge and stream. (LB has all of the pics from the camping side of things)
Christopher really wanting to play in the ice cold water
Jeremy taking a dip in the ice cold water!
Brrrrr!
Hannah is a superstar!
like mother, like daughter!
Benjamin sneaking a drink from Jesse's camelbak
A fun time was had by all!
