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Topic: Chewy Granola Bars (Read 42 times)

TaQuilla
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Chewy Granola Bars
« Thread Started on Mar 28, 2008, 5:46pm »

I've been tweaking this recipe for a while to come up with the ideal grab and go snack for my family (that all 8 of us will like), and according to the family, I've finally struck gold. I'll share the recipe, and you can tweak it according to your family's dietary needs/preferences (I'll give some substitution suggestions):

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INGREDIENTS

2 cups rolled oats
1/4-1/2 cup packed brown sugar (they will be plenty sweet from the honey, so you don't need much of this)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
3/4-1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional but yummy, and contributes to the chewiness ~ this is the secret ingredient in those Quaker chewy bars)
1/2 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup smart balance (or other heart healthy) oil (you can reduce fat by using all applesauce, or 1/4c applesauce & 1/4 c oil)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, flour, chocolate chips and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. (I usually press down using plastic wrap covered hands)

3. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on how chewy you like them) in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut. When cooled, wrap individually w/plastic wrap, and then place all plastic wrapped bars into a large ziploc bag w/ all the air pressed out before sealing. This will keep in the moisture.

Variation: for oatmeal raisin bars, substitute raisins (or other dried fruit) for choc chips and add 3/4 tsp cinnamon to dry ingredients.

I usually make the raisin version, but made this chocolate chip version yesterday, and my family has been feeling like we have extra special treats in the house, and they can't stop asking for them.

Enjoy!!!

« Last Edit: Mar 28, 2008, 7:05pm by TaQuilla »

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