Sometimes, after a long day at work, coming home to bake seems like the last thing on my mind. I usually have visions of a nice glass of wine, a snack, and me on the couch in my sweatpants watching some awful (but can’t stop watching) Bravo show.
But somehow, I came home after a busy day and made these quick granola bars, realizing it was just the therapy I needed. Something about mixing and measuring just takes my mind off of everything else and takes it out of “work mode”. There are some days you just need to know you can thrown some ingredients together in a pan, pop it in the freezer, and it will be a delicious reward when you want to slice off a piece (or four!) for a mid morning snack.
Yogi Mix Granola Bars from Eat, Live, Run
1 cup honey
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4th tsp salt
2 T granulated sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter (I also used Nutella)
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries or berry blend (I used raisins and cherries)
Combine the honey, vanilla, salt, sugar and peanut butter in a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about four minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large bowl, combine all other ingredients except for chocolate chips. Pour the boiling honey mixture over the oat mixture and toss well. Finally, add the chocolate chips and fold together (being careful not to overmix and melt the chocolate).
Press mixture into a greased nine inch pan and pat down with wet hands. Chill in fridge for an hour, or until firm, before cutting into bars.
These granola bars are easily modified to fit whatever you have on hand or preference for, especially the fruit and nut components, or maybe just add chocolate chips because, uhh what’s not better with chocolate.
Dana says
Just found your site while looking for vegan cookie recipes. OMG! Why of why am I perusing all these delectable looking recipes when I intermittent fasting and starving RIGHT NOW!? Definitely going thru this site for new eats!
Heart of a Baker says
You’re too kind, enjoy!