Sweet Little Treats

Have you ever had one of those days where you're looking all over you kitchen for something to eat? Usually it's you don't want something to heavy, but you also don't want something to small because you're hungry, but dinner is in just a few hours…some of you know exactly what I'm talking about! I can safely say I have found my new favorite snack! Chewy homemade granola bars! If you have ever had one of the Quaker breakfast granola bars, they are very similar to those minus all the fat, calories and random ingredients.

Another reason why I really like this recipe is because there are so many different ways to make it! I am a chocolate lover so I put dark chocolate bites and raisins in mine. Kevin is not a chocolate lover so I made half of this past batch with craisins and raisins only. It is also a relatively quick recipe that uses mainly household cooking staples. So lets get baking!

Chewy Granola Bars

1 cup oat flour (1 cup of oats finely ground in a blender)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)

2 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup honey or agave

1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups quick oats

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (60% cocoa or more) (optional)

3/4 cup raisins (optional)

3/4 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans) (optional)

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9x9 baking dish, line with parchment paper and lightly grease.

2.      Whisk together oat flour, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

3.      In a large bowl mix together butter and brown sugar on medium. It should start to look like crumbles.

4.      Add egg, honey, applesauce and vanilla extra. Mix after each addition to bowl.

5.      Add flour mix slowly to your liquid mix. Once all of that is mixed together, add oats and mix until it is all combine together.

6.      Add your choice of mixings (chocolate, raisins, pecans)

7.      Spoon into pan and press down firmly to make even. Bake 25 minutes or until golden brown on edges. They might look slightly uncooked but they will set as they cool.

8.      Allow pan to cool completely and refrigerate before cutting. This will allow them to firm up a bit to help them hold together better.

Hope you enjoy this yummy little treat!