DIY Granola Bars

In my quest to eat better and remove processed food from my diet I have had to get creative. One thing I ate nearly constantly was Nature's Valley Granola Bars. There is nothing really terrible about them except their long ingredient list. (Check it out here:Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars) I figured it was an easy place to start and I could make some of my own variations. The recipe I have included can be changed up as you please. Happy Baking!

DIY Granola as You Please

1 Cup Old Fashion Oats (not quick cooking)

½ Cup Sliced Almonds

¼ Cup Unsalted and Shelled Sunflower Seeds

1 Cup Shredded an Unsweetened Coconut Flakes (loosely packed)

½ Cup Toasted Wheat Germ

1 Cup Puffed Rice Cereal (can be cocoa-ed)

½ Cup Raisins

⅔ Cup Dark Pure Maple Syrup (or 1/3 Cup Honey and 1/3 Cup Molasses)

3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (or substitute)

¼ Light Brown Sugar

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/8 teaspoon Sea Salt

Parchment Paper

Preheat your oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. I always use parchment when toasting nuts and oats to keep the flavor in the mix and not on the pan. Toss together the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, and coconut flakes. Trim down the parchment paper to the edge of the baking sheet to prevent burning. Place these in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes stir occasionally to keep from burning. 

While the baking sheet is in the oven place the maple syrup, butter, vanilla, brown sugar, and salt in a sauce pan and warm over medium-low heat. Stir to prevent burning to the bottom. 

Pour the wheat germ, cereal, and raisins in a large mixing bowl.  Add the oat mixture from the oven and the syrup mixture from the stove to the mixing bowl. Stir quickly and gently with a rubber or silicone spatula. This gets sticky as it cools (like Rice Crispy Treats) so work quick!

Transfer to a parchment paper lined 13 x9 cake pan, trim paper down. and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Cool completely and eat!