Granola Bars

I love the idea of learning how to cook from scratch the items I typically buy at the grocery store. Here are some granola bars that the kids love. The beauty is that I can add anything the kids like to the bars.

Make-Your-Own Granola Bars
from Someone's int he Kitchen with Mommy

1 1/2 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cups low-fat granola with raisins
1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup chocolate or mini-chocolate baking chips, or nuts
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons fat-free sweetened condensed skimmed milk
2 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup flaked sweetened coconut (optional)
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place all the ingredients except the nonstick cooking spray in a mixing bowl. Coast a 9 inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Spoon the granola mixture into the pan. Press the mixture down into the pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.

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I'm also adding another recipe that I like to make.  I throw in whatever I find in my cupboards and substitute the dried fruit and nuts for what is available.  Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins,  have found their way into my granola bars.  These  bars tend to be a bit sticky and hard to make into actual bars, so I just break off a hunk or two and put it in my yogurt.  Delicious!

Homemade Granola Bars
from my mother's church friend

Ingredients:
* 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
* 1 cup sliced almonds
* 1 cup shredded, coconut, loosely packed
* 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 2/3 cup honey
* 1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/2  cup chopped pitted dates
* 1/2 cups chopped dried apricots
* 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter an 8 by 12 inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.
Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.  Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
Place butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.  Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.  Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, until light golden brown.  Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares.  Serve at room temperature.