Last weekend, I made a dozen granola bars. I got the recipe from the kitchen sink. The bars were very tasty, but now that I have the process down I will make a few experimental adjustments for the next time. I'm listing the recipe below as I would change it... which is basically reducing the amount of salt, adding more honey and peanut butter, and using dried ginger and apricots in place of cranberries. I'd also love to find a substitute for the brown sugar, but I haven't come up with anything yet. If anyone has suggestions, let me know. There is a note that cautions the idea of adding more liquid to these bars, but my bars could have definitely used slightly more stick.
Check out Kristin's original post — she has some beautiful photos up.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup pepitas
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 cup whole almonds (or other nut)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup dried ginger
1 cup dried apricots
Here are the instructions per the kitchen sink:
Preheat the oven to 325. Line a rimmed baking sheet
with parchment paper. Next, line a square baking pan (8 or 9 inches)
with two perpendicular sheets of parchment paper that are long enough
to leave an overhang. The sheets will form a “basket” for you to lift
out the sheet of granola, before you cut it into bars.
Combine the oats, coconut, seeds and nuts; spread out evenly on the rimmed baking sheet and toast for 15 minutes. When the oat mixture has been toasting for about 10 minutes, combine the honey, peanut butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and vanilla in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. If the sugar dissolves before the oat mixture is done toasting, reduce the heat to low.
When the oat mixture is done toasting, transfer it to a large bowl and add the honey mixture and fruit; stir to incorporate. Spread the mixture in the prepared square pan, using the back of a wooden spoon or bottom of a measuring cup to press the mixture into the pan and create a smooth, even surface. Bake the granola mixture for 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
