Rawlins Family

Rawlins Family

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Yummy goodness

About a month ago I decided I was going to make more of my kids snacks. I was spending a bundle on granola bars every week. I insisted that they had to eat a healthy kind since they devour so many, so that meant a lot of money shoveled into the hands of granola bar makers that could, instead, be residing in my wallet.

SO, the search began. I found a recipe easily but it took a few tries to get it just right. But today's batch was divine. So I thought the only fair thing was to share the love.

Behold, the Granola Bar.

  • 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup crisp brown rice (can use regular rice krispies)
  • 1/3 cup milled flax seed
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2/3 cup chopped dates
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients as they appear. Mix the dry ingredients quickly before starting to add wet.
  3. Firmly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. After removing from oven use a spatula or other firm object to press bars into pan again. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing cutting and serving.

And, if you needed proof of just how delicious these bars are, check out the happy customers...

 P1030660P1030662  P1030664 P1030665

Oh, and I also found this little gem of a recipe. It's originally found on the back of the Hodgson Mills milled flax seed box.

10 comments:

Alyssa said...

Mmmm sounds yummy! Emma's not eating granola bars yet (but yikes, it won't be long, she's got 3 teeth now!) but I will try these out for Mike and I! I have also decided to make Emma's food myself, as I don't feel like shelling out the big bucks, when I can make something that's just as good, if not better, at home!!

(that was not a sick joke about breastmilk, but rather, a true statement on me making her baby foods)

Anna@Exasperation said...

There's nothing sick about breastmilk. It's the superest of the superfoods.
After you try them let me know if you like them.
And good luck making the baby food. I could never make enough different kinds so I didn't bother. After the effort of making just ONE kind I was so worn out I never wanted to make any other kinds. You're brave. Though, I think Christy made her own and she had some cool kitchen gadgets that made it easier - I think it cooked the fruit/veggie faster. If you have a crockpot that would probably work, too.

Shari said...

I can't wait to try this. How messy is it? I would love to find a granola bar that sticks together enough to be handed out in the car!

Anna@Exasperation said...

These ones stick together pretty well. But I'm not sure they'd pass the car test. When I keep them refrigerated that seems to help, too.

Stephanie said...

Tried it and LOVE it!!

Chrystapooh said...

So, I'd like to make some granola cereal for Karl and I that's healthy but still tastes good. All the ones that taste great have a ton of sugar and fat, and the ones that are healthier are bleh. Any suggestions there?

Chandy said...

That recipe sounds wonderful! But alas, my son can't have peanut butter... What do you think would be a great substitute?

I'd try a batch of this for Charlie's travel snacks. He'd love this for sure! Thanks for sharing!

Anna@Exasperation said...

Carolyn, I added PB to the recipe. You could easily leave it out completely.

Kelly said...

gonna hav to add this one on the ol' fitness blog! sounds good!

Chandler Family said...

So I'm on my third batch...I've mixed it up so that it has some healthy nasty cereal that I bought and couldn't stomach plain so I thought I'd try it in here, added some caramel bits and then tried butterscotch chips and then cransins....on and on I love the versatility. Alesy loves it, and with the flax in it, it helps with "regularity"!! I also tried putting them in muffin tins so they are the perfect size to throw into ziploc baggies and go. They cook quicker so watch out! My kids call them granola cookies! Thanks for the recipe!