I thought that I would go healthy this week and make some granola bars. This is my go-to recipe — not too hard that you will break your teeth, but a little soft and definitely flavorful. If you search the site, you’ll see a bunch of variations; this time I decided to go ith apples and almond slices, with a bit of cinnamon and vanilla. Great pick me up afternoon snack!
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3/4 cup sunflower kernels, roasted (unsalted)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup almond butter
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup dried apples (not apple chips), cut to 1/4 inch or smaller pieces
3/4 cup mini white chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare a foil sling for your 9 x 13 baking pan and spray with cooking spray.
Toss the oatmeal and almonds together 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 toasted wheat germ and sunflower kernels.
Reduce the oven temperature to 300F.
Place the butter, honey, almond butter, 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 chopped dried apples and stir well. Finally add in the mini-white chocolate chips; they should mostly melt but they act as a binder like the wet ingredient.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into rectangles or squares.
