Granola bars are one of the things I hate buying at the store, because I know I can make them so much cheaper & yummier at home. I sometimes buy them still for convenience, but I love it when I can make them at home. This is my favorite granola bar recipe. (Originally found here)
(Update- for another equally delicious, yet different, granola bar- here is another one I love.)
Perfect Granola Bars
1/2 cup and 1/3 cup butter, softened (13 1/3 tbsp.)
1/2 cup honey (6 oz.)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup brown sugar (2.7 oz.)
4 1/2 cups oats (15 oz.)
1 cup whole wheat flour (4 1/2 oz.), or all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup add-ins (i.e. chocolate chips, cranberries, etc.)
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl (or stand mixer). Press into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 325ยบ for 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack; gently press down on bars after baking to flatten (I use a small, flat cutting board to press down on them). Cut into 24 bars (4 by 6). Store in an airtight container.
*A variation done by a friend: "I made them last night with dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and drizzled the top with white chocolate." I can't wait to try them this way! Thanks for the idea, Sara!
Why I love it? Even though they probably have more calories than the Quaker ones (because of the real butter!), I love that I know exactly what goes in these granola bars. You don't want HFCS, preservatives, stuff like that? No problem. They taste delicious, and are a quick snack we all enjoy.
Tip: You might notice on my blog that I often give weights for the ingredients. That's because weighing is the primary way I measure my ingredients. Not only is it more accurate, but I find it easier! I just set the mixing bowl on my small kitchen scale, and add the ingredients that way. It's really helpful for things like honey. I don't have to worry about scraping honey out of a measuring cup, and it gives me less dishes to wash!
I can't wait to try these! I'm out of honey though. :( I'll have to try in a couple of weeks. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds yummy! I'm going to have to try these! Great idea about the scale. I never thought of that.
ReplyDeleteThis looks exactly like my granola bar recipe! I love these!
ReplyDeletehttp://onelittlewordsheknew.blogspot.com/2009/05/perfect-granola-bars.html
Christy, you're right! Thank you for posting that! I printed the recipe, but didn't remember where I got it. I'll add that to my post. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. I probably shared it on diaperswappers (which is also where I saw your blog link). No worries. ;)
ReplyDeletehave these in the oven right now...I'm nervous because it was all crumbly, but hopefully they turn out!
ReplyDeleteany ideas on why mine came out very crumbly? it tastes great but its more like loose granola not chewy bars :(
ReplyDeleteAnna, I'm sorry these were crumbly for you! Did you press down on them after they came out of the oven? Maybe that's it. I use a small cutting board to press on mine. I think that helps to compact them. My only other guess is about the butter- if it was melted (instead of softened), that might affect it.
ReplyDeleteI made these again the other day, and they turned out fine. After a couple days they were a little more crumbly (they still held together as a bar), just pieces would crumble as you ate it. Let me know if you have any other questions, or if you figure out what made them crumbly. I'm curious!