Feb 20, 2010 Posted by denice johnson on Feb 20, 2010 in body, life | 0 comments

mixed fruit and vanilla chip granola bars recipe

Granola bars aren’t just for kids. They can be a great energy boosting snack for people of all ages. Especially if you make your own from scratch. Unfortunately, store bought granola bars tend to be so full of sugar and additives that they are no more healthy than a chocolate bar. This simple recipe allows you to make a great healthy snack for your children or yourself.

I use a President’s Choice Blue Menu 5 Grain Cereal for this recipe but regular rolled oats will also do. The 5 Grain contains a hearty blend of oats, wheat, rye, barley and triticale.

ingredients

2 – 2.5 c 5 grain cereal or rolled oats*

1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c honey
3 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt

1 c bran cereal, lightly crushed
1/2 c raisins
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c dried apricots
1/2 c vanilla chips

*start with 2 cups of 5 grain or oats and add more if needed to bind ingredients once everything is mixed together

instructions

Preheat oven to 400F.

Toast 5 grain cereal (or rolled oats, if you cannot find 5 grain cereal) on a baking sheet for 7-10 minutes, being careful to not let it burn.

Combine brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla and salt in a saucepan and heat at medium temperature until all is melted and combined.

Mix 5 grain cereal/oats with bran cereal and dried fruit in a large bowl.

Add sauce and stir until completely combined. Pour into 11X13 glass baking dish lined with parchment paper (or wax paper) and press firmly. Let cool a few minutes before gently pressing vanilla chips into surface. Waiting will keep the chips from melting and disappearing into the mixture.

Allow to set until firm before attempting to cut. You can speed this a long by putting the dish in the fridge but cutting the bars might be difficult if too cold.

Suggestion: We used orange flavored cranberries in this recipe and they were a delightful addition. A lovely hint of orange without being overpowering. Other flavored cranberries are also available and might be interesting to try. Experiment with whatever dried fruits your family would enjoy most.