DIY: Super yummy granola bars

It amazes me just how many varieties of granola bars are on the grocery store shelf.  I haven't counted them but there's lots.  These days, it's boring if a granola bar is simply made with oats and honey, and maybe a few raisins.

That is why there's one made for every taste bud out there: sweet, sweet and salty, chocolate or yogurt covered or dipped, chewy, crunchy, made with "real fruit filling", peanut butter, with fibre added, calorie controlled... Ugh, the list goes on and on.

It's almost as confusing as the yogurt section of the grocery store.  You can sit there all day comparing the labels (like we're not busy enough), and getting nowhere with it... It's no wonder people are confused and don't know what to eat.  Anyways, that's for another blog post.

I have realized in the last couple of years that I really don't like store-bought granola bars.  In fact, I find them quite expensive and well, they don't taste good, at all!

I do, however, love the chewiness of oats combined with a warm spice like cinnamon, crunchy toasted nuts and seeds, and the sweetness of dried fruit and honey to tie it all together.  So I started making my own, and here's how I make them:

Pecan Granola Bars
Makes: 24 bars

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup pecans, chopped (you can use other nuts you have on hand)
2 cups of chopped dried fruit (I used raisins and cranberries)
1 cup whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 lb (1 stick) butter unsalted, softened 
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 13x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, coconut, pecans, and dried fruit.  In a separate small bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and honey.  Using an electric mixer beat until light and fluffy, and then add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until all is combined.  Gradually add the flour mixture.  Add oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.

Press the mixture evenly into the baking dish.  Bake until the top is golden and the edges are lightly brown, about 25 minutes.

The bars will be very soft straight out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.  Cool completely on wire rack then cut into bars.

* They will keep up to 10 days stored at room temperature in air tight container.  Or freeze some for a rainy day.

Enjoy!

Photography by: Melissa LeBlanc

A fabulous start to the day

If you haven't had steel-cut oats before, you have to try them!  The cooking time is longer than regular large flake and instant oats, but it's totally worth it.  Of course I don't make steel-cut oats when I'm scrambling in the morning, trying to get out the door in time.  Instead, I make a large batch on a Sunday afternoon, cool it and store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and there you have it, breakfast for the week.  Genius!

The best part of making steel-cut oats, is that there are endless possibilities to add flavour and personality.  I make mine with half milk half water and as the oats cook, they become thick and creamy.  I add raisins, and just before serving, chopped pecans.

Here's a basic recipe to get you started and feel free to add fruit, nuts, seeds and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. 

Steel-cut oats


Ingredients

1 cup steel-cut oats
2 cups water
2 cups of milk
1 pinch of salt

How I make this

Bring the water and milk to a boil in a heavy medium-size saucepan.  Careful! When this starts to boil, it can make a mess really quickly if you're not paying attention.

Add the oats and salt and lower the heat to low to bring it to a gentle simmer.  Cook for about 40 minutes stirring occasionally.

Add toppings and serve warm or cool and store in an airtight contain in the fridge.

Here's to no more excuses for skipping breakfast!

I'm curious, what do you put in your steel-cut oats?

Photography by: Melissa LeBlanc