February 07, 2012

Homemade Granola Bars






   It has been a very long time since I have updated my blog and I am sorry for that. During Christmas I really wanted to bake lots cause its christmas and there is a lot of baking to be done. But I didn't have any time as the bakery was insanely busy. Then I also found out that I got accepted into school. So I took my first year apprenticeship in January! I found out two weeks before my first day of school started. That was a very interesting adventure going to school. Very fun and crazy busy.

    My first day of school I got lost and had to ask someone where my class was because the school is a whole square block in Vancouver! So it is quite big and easy to get lost in. So those are my good excuses as to why I did not update my blog for over 3 months :S That is a really long time.

So ... here is a recipe that I made today. I really wanted to make homemade granola bars as the ones you buy in the stores are usually not very good for you as they have lots of high fructose corn syrup. Which is not so good, that is what glucose is made from. You probably know that glucose is a sugar so basically they all have lots of sugar in them. The recipe I made have mostly agave nectar, some honey and a little bit of brown sugar as the sweeteners.


Makes 16 - 1x5" bars


2 1/4 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. wheat germ
1/3 c. flax seeds
1/4 c. chia seeds
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. whole almonds
3/4 c. chopped peanuts
1/3 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. agave nectar
1/4 c. honey
4 T. butter
2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
about 8. oz dried fruit (your choice)
1/2 c, peanut butter (optional)

Mix the rolled oats, wheat germ, flax, chia, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, and peanut on a baking sheet and toast for about 8-10 minutes at 300* f until they smell good and taste toasted. Then turn off the oven as you don't need it anymore. While that is toasting, combine the sugar, honey, agave nectar, vanilla and salt (peanut butter also, if using) together and heat until melted. Mix the toasted ingredients together with the dried fruit. Add the sweeteners and mix well. Once mixed pour into a parchment lined 9x13 inch pan. Place another sheet of parchment on top and press down firmly. Let cool. Cut and place in a air tight container or individually wrapping in saran wrap.


These bars are very good, they are kinda sticky and they do fall apart easily if they are not cooled properly and totally. They are very good though and chewy as well. So not like the hard crisp ones you buy.



Enjoy!

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