Aaah, granola bars. The magical treat. Perfect for church, in the car, shopping, or any other time I need Anna to be quiet.
For awhile we were going through 2 boxes each week.
For awhile we were going through 2 boxes each week.
I guess I needed a lot of quiet.
So then I tried making my own.
And I discovered the power of sprinkles. Anything gets eaten if I put sprinkles on it.
VERDICT:
Cost: Home
Convenience: Store
Taste: Not really comparable, as they're quite different
Health: Home
Overall:
We only go through one box a week now. Andy still prefers storemade chocolate chip bars, but Anna and I love these ones. They are softer and more "cakey" than store-made granola bars, so you're not going to find the same texture. But for the ease and nutrition, I'll eat them any day. And the recipe is idiot-proof. I've modified it almost every time I've used it. Seriously, you can't mess it up. They taste best made as written, but whole wheat flour and applesauce make it more nutritious.
Health: Home
Overall:
We only go through one box a week now. Andy still prefers storemade chocolate chip bars, but Anna and I love these ones. They are softer and more "cakey" than store-made granola bars, so you're not going to find the same texture. But for the ease and nutrition, I'll eat them any day. And the recipe is idiot-proof. I've modified it almost every time I've used it. Seriously, you can't mess it up. They taste best made as written, but whole wheat flour and applesauce make it more nutritious.
However, when nostalgia hits, there's nothing like a classic Quaker granola bar to bring me back to freshman year of high school.
But don't forget to add the sprinkles.
Leftover Christmas ones are best.
Granola Bars (about 12 bars, 30 min)
Granola Bars (about 12 bars, 30 min)
2 c quick oats
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c wheat germ
1 c all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 pan.
2. Mix dry ingredients.
3. Make a well in the center. Pour in remaining ingredients. Mix well.
4. Pat mixture into pan. Use about 3/4 of the pan. The mix won't expand, so you don't want it too thin.
5. Bake 18-22 minutes or until edges turn golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Cut while still warm.
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c wheat germ
1 c all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 pan.
2. Mix dry ingredients.
3. Make a well in the center. Pour in remaining ingredients. Mix well.
4. Pat mixture into pan. Use about 3/4 of the pan. The mix won't expand, so you don't want it too thin.
5. Bake 18-22 minutes or until edges turn golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Cut while still warm.
** 5/22 Update: Bake these in a glass pan. They take about 25 min to cook, but are softer. They are also perfect for a 8X11 pan.
Optional Substitutions
Whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour
Applesauce for oil
Rolled oats for quick oats
Add raisins, chocolate chips, craisins, sprinkles, etc.
My inspiration
These granola bars are fantastic! Even my one year old loves to eat them. I love the fact that you can bake many varieties depending on what you have on hand. They are delicious. These granola bars beat the store ones hands down!!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you store them to keep them soft?
ReplyDeleteAfter I've cut them and they've cooled, I put them in an airtight container. They stay soft for about a week.
ReplyDeleteIf I want to keep them longer than that, I individually wrap them in foil and freeze them. They thaw out in about an hour and taste just as good!