Chewy Granola Bars
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups walnuts (I used pecans)
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raw sunflower seeds - unsalted
1 cup dried apricots (I used dried blueberries)
1 cup brown sugar (I used white sugar)3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons water
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup honey* - this is optional. I added this myself since I was using white sugar rather than brown sugar.
Instructions:
1. In a 13x9 baking pan, make a foil sling.
a. Place a piece of foil lengthwise - pressing down in corners and edges
b. Place another piece of foil perpendicular to the other piece - pressing down on all edges.
2. Lightly spray foil with vegetable oil.
3. Pulse walnuts in food processor until very fine.
4. On a different rimmed baking sheet, spread the walnuts, oats, and rimmed baking sheet.
5. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Stir halfway through.
6. In food processor, mix in the dried apricots, sugar, and salt - process until finely ground - about 15 seconds.
7. While processing, add water, oil, and honey.
8. Continue to process until a paste forms - about 1 minute.
9. Transfer this paste to a large bowl.
10. Add the warmed oat-walnut-sunflower mix to the paste.
11. Stir with a rubber spatula until coated.
12. Transfer the mixture to the prepared 13x9 baking pan
13. Use parchment paper to press down on the top of the mixture to even it out.
13. Set oven to 300 degrees.
14. Bake for 25 minutes.
15. Remove pan from oven and let cool for 1 hour.
16. Using the foil sling, keeping the granola in the foil, remove the granola and place on wire rack to let cool for 1 hour.
17. Discard the foil and place the granola mix on a large cutting board.
18. Cut granola in half crosswise to form two 6 1/2 by 9 rectangles.
19. Cut each of these in half again crosswise to form four 3 1/4 x9 rectangles.
20. Cut each strip crosswise into 6 equal pieces.
21. Granola bars can be stored at room temperature up to 3 weeks.
Mark's Notes:
I once made a granola mix thinking I was making granola bars. It didn't gel together like granola bars should. My wife read the recipe and informed me I had in fact made a simple granola mix rather than granola bars. So, when I found this recipe, I decided to make a healthy snack for my family.
I did quite a few substitutions from the original recipe. I used pecans rather than walnuts. I used dried blueberries rather than dried apricots. I couldn't find dried cranberries so I used a mixture of dried cherries, cranberries, and raspberries. I also used white sugar instead of brown sugar and so I added the honey to help make the granola bars gel together.
I used a pan that was slightly smaller than 13x9. We had more like large granola squares than bars. It is still super yummy and very healthy. My one daughter commented that she did like it but it was kind of dry. So, have so water or milk ready for a wonderful late afternoon snack.
Enjoy.
Jesus is Risen.
He is Risen Indeed.
