My first attempt at homemade, chewy granola bars!I'll start with my favorite Pinterest recipe I've tried so far... Homemade chewy granola bars!! Can I just say YUUUUUMMM? I've discovered my gauge for all things good or bad is my boys' opinion! And, they agree with my opinion on these! They LOVE them! L.O.V.E. And it's a good thing because they're full of natural ingredients. No preservatives. They're much cheaper than buying at the store. And finally, they're really quite easy to make.
Here is the link to the original recipe and instructions:
http://backtothecuttingboard.com/dessert/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars/
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
adapted from Rachel Ray Snack, Dessert Servings: 18 servings Prep time: 0 Cook time: 5 min Total time: 25 min
Ingredients:
4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 cups plain granola
1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips
Process:
Line two 9×5 loaf pans or one 11×7 inch baking pan with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray the foil. Set aside.Combine butter, honey and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted.Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.Add the granola and rice cereal into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill. Sprinkle the chocolate and peanut butter chips onto the top of the granola and gently press them down with the spatula.Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.Lower sugar version: Use low-sugar granola (see nutrition info below for recipe). Reduce both brown sugar and honey to 2 tbsp. each. Omit 2 tbsp. granola. Omit peanut butter chips, use 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips instead of regular size.
I used the applesauce granola recipe she linked in her blog:
http://fakeginger.com/2010/04/07/applesauce-granola/
I can't copy and paste the recipe, so you'll have to go to the link to get it. I've made it several times and the first few times I didn't read the recipe well and cooked the granola at 350 (instead of 300 that is recommended) for a full hour, stirring every 10 minutes. It always turned out perfectly. Once I realized my error, I lowered the temp and shortened the cooking time, but got soft granola. I guess every oven cooks differently, so do what works best for you and yours (oven, that is).
I double the bar recipe and found that the applesauce granola makes just the right amount for a double recipe.
I only used sunflower seeds and no other nuts for the granola. It was still fine!
In the bars, I've only used mini-chocolate chips, so far. I saw that you can now buy mini marshmallows (like the kind you get in instant cocoa) and am eager to try those. I'm afraid real marshmallows would just melt right away.
If you want to try an even healthier version, a friend of mine used agava syrup instead of honey and coconut sugar in place of the brown sugar. She said they were still fabulous!
If you've wanted to try making your own chewy granola bars, I highly recommend trying this recipe! Delicious and easy!
