Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Sides: Granola Bars


Granola Bars make a great addition to the lunch box or can be a filling after school snack. I think I finally found the recipe, the one that will get ingrained into my brain, the go-to recipe that I have memorized for all of our Granola Bar needs. I found this recipe just a few weeks ago in the local newspaper and I have made it several times already. This one is a keeper and can be easily played with, swapping one nut for another, one fruit for another, etc.

I use fat free sweetened condensed milk which changes the calories and fat, but just a smidgen. But the taste is the same. I also usually love to use mini chocolate chips but in this case I think a burst of chocolate is better than barely there.

Granola Bars

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup dried berries
  • 1 can (14 oz) fat free sweetened condensed milk
Preheat oven to 325. Line 9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, sides and all.
Mix all ingredients in bowl. Put in pan and pat down until firmly packed. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool to room temperature. When bar is firm, remove from pan and slice into 16 1X4 inch bars. Can be frozen or stored in air right container for up to a week.

3 comments:

  1. I love granola! I make my homemade maple granola for Christmas every year. And we buy ls granola bars constantly. This sounds great! Is there something to use instead of the wheat germ? I could get it, but it's not something I buy normally. Thanks for another great post!

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  2. OOHH, I have been wanting to make granola bars for the past couple of weeks. This post is perfect. I am excited to try them. Thanks Lorinda!

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  3. Rhon- Your granola sounds divine. I LOVE maple!! You can zip 1/2 cup oatmeal in a blender and use it instead of the wheat germ.

    Teresa- I hope you enjoy! :)

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