Perfect Energy Booster Mom Snack

Soft And Chewy Granola Bars Recipe

You Will Need

2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup whole Sunflower Nuts

1/2 cup of plain shredded coconut

2/3 cup honey

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup dried cherries

Directions

Prepare Oven and Pan

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line bottom and sides of a 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil.Then lightly oil with organic coconut oil.

Toast Oats and Nuts:

Add oats, shredded coconut and sunflower nuts to a small baking sheet then bake 5 minutes, stir and bake another 3 to 5 minutes until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.

Prepare Granola Bars:

Combine butter, honey, peanut butter,  vanilla extract and the salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until butter melts and the sugar completely dissolves.

Pour butter mixture in to bowl with toasted oats and almonds. Mix well. Let cool about 5 minutes then add cranberries and cherries. Stir to combine. 

Transfer oat mixture to lined pan then use a rubber spatula or damp finger tips to firmly press the mixture into the pan. (Press hard here, this way the bars will stay together once cooled and cut. We press for about one minute to be extra safe).
Cover then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Remove block of granola mixture from pan then peel away aluminum foil. Cut into 12 bars.
Store bars in an airtight container for up to one week. For the softest bars, keep at room temperature. For slightly harder bars, store in the fridge.

I make these every Sunday after dinner to pack with my for a morning snack at work. These give me a natural boost of energy and keep me full until lunch around 1pm. My boys love these too and think they are just a sweet treat (when really these are super healthy!) I do change it up sometimes by adding some cinnamon or chocolate chips. I also really using dried blueberries sometimes. I sometimes add some flax seed or wheat germ if i have some in our cabinet. If you have tried any other granola bar recipes comment below and share.

Come back soon! =)

Tara