[dropcap1 color=”rosy”]D[/dropcap1]isclaimer: these are addicting. If you are into granola bars please be warned if you make these it will be quite hard to consume a store bought granola bar again. So if you don’t want to sever ties completely with Mr. Quaker Oats just yet, I suggest skipping this recipe. If you’re ready to move on…well, then let’s do this. I’m here for you.
This recipe comes from the love of my cooking life, Ina Garten. I never want to say anything bad about her, and rarely adapt her recipes all that much, but this is one I think did need a bit of tweaking. But that’s ok, Ina. You still rock my world. Perhaps our ovens are just extremely different, or my 2/3 measuring cup is different than your 2/3 measuring cup. Either way, I’m sure the recipe you wrote works perfectly for you and Jeffrey, but it didn’t work for me.
The major part of my ‘tweaking’ in this recipe was in the honey sauce. It is the glue that holds these bars together. I don’t think Ina called for enough honey, so I upped that. Second, her longer baking time very much dried out the granola bars for me, so they crumbled apart. Perfect for yogurt, not so perfect for moist individually wrapped bars. We are looking to sink our teeth into a chewy bar, not break our teeth on one, right?
After countless attempts at getting this recipe just right, I think I finally nailed it. I sure hope it works for you!
- 2 cups old fashion rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup coconut, loosely packed
- 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
- 3 TBS unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup honey (when in doubt, put more in)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups dried fruit pieces. Here is your chance to be creative! I change mine up all the time. The ones pictured are filled with cranberries and apricots.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Butter a 9 x 11 casserole dish, and line with parchment paper.
- Toast the oats, almonds and coconut on a baking sheet in the oven for 12 minutes. Pour into a large mixing bowl and mix in the wheat germ. Meanwhile, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla and salt and bring to a boil. Mix together for 1 minute. Pour over the oat mixture. Mix together and stir in your fruit. Press lightly into your prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 3 hours. Cut into individual bars, wrap in parchment paper, and leave on the counter for easy access to a great snack
Still love you Ina,
Courtney
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Courtney
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I am making these tomorrow! My kids eat granola bars all the time and I want to be able to have control of the ingredients. So excited to try them! Thanks Courtney!!!
So glad you like the recipe – hope your kids enjoy! 🙂 Let me know how they turn out!
These are the best! I agree that the recipe took a little fine-tuning. When I ate one from the first batch you ever made, I was wearing a black suit on the train. I didn’t realize it, but I had crumbs stuck to my pants and jacket. Someone actually pointed and laughed when I stood up to exit the train. Now that you’ve figured out the right mix, I don’t have to worry about this anymore.
These are honestly the best granola bars in this universe! Yummy!
Just put these in the oven. The house is full of the neighborhood kids and they are all drooling! They smell so good!
Yea!!! Hope they enjoy 🙂