Monday, February 22, 2010

Homemade Granola Bars

These are so yummy. I wanted to go all "mommy blog" and take pictures as I made these last night, but I was just too darn tired. So all you get is the recipe.

The "glue":

2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup extra crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla

Bring to a simmer, stirring almost-constantly. Then pour the glue over:

2 cups whole oats
1 cup rice krispies (or similar)
1/4 cup flax seed meal
3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup crushed almonds

Stir well, make sure all of the dry ingredients are well mixed and well coated. Line a 9 x 13" pan with waxed paper, and press the gooey mixture into the pan. Make sure to compact it good, I use a second sheet of waxed paper over the top. Sprinkle a few carob or mini chocolate chips on top as well and press them into the granola bars for a little extra treat. Let the bars cool completely (I usually refrigerate them overnight, but it really doesn't take that long, a couple hours will do), then cut into bars. You can individually wrap them or just store them in the fridge. I imagine they'd keep for at least a couple of weeks, but they never last that long at our house! Makes 18-20 bars.

These are calorically dense, so keep that in mind. They make a great pre-workout fuel or mid morning snack, just only have one (that's the hard part for me!) They're about 180 calories each, but very healthy!

4 comments:

Ingrid said...

Today is "in the kitchen day" and I have some puffed millet cereal that no one likes (not even me), so I am going to use that in place of the rice krispies and make myself a batch of these buggers. If the kids like them, they will become a lunch-box staple!

Ingrid said...

DANG GOOD! They won't last long here either! I used 1/2 peanut butter and 1/2 almond butter. I didn't have sunflower seeds so I used sesame seeds. And I substituted millet for the rice-- it is delish! I know they'll be good the "right way," also, with variations. THANKS!

Ingrid said...

Hey, me again! Any idea of an approximate protein-content of these babies? Mmm mm!

Gina said...

Yum! I am hooked after my half bar tonight! Can't wait to make them!