Granola Bars
recipe courtesy of James W.
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. honey
1/2 c. grated carrots*
1/2 c. chocolate chips*
1/2 c. slivered almonds*
1/2 c. dried cranberries*
3 1/2 c. oatmeal
Preheat the oven to 350.
Step 1: In a saucepan, melt the peanut butter and honey over medium-low heat.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine carrots, chocolate chips, almonds, cranberries.
Step 3: Pour the melted peanut butter and honey mixture into the bowl and stir to combine.
Step 4: Stir in the oats.
Step 5: Pour into a 9x13in. pan, spreading evenly. (Stephen had the genius idea to spray Pam on the back of a spatula to get the mixture to spread more easily.)
Step 6: Bake for 20-25-30 minutes, until they're firm. (They'll start smelling awesome.)
Step 7: Cool. Cut. Wrap in plastic wrap.**
* You can substitute the carrots for coconut if you prefer, and use whatever ingredients you like (peanut butter chips, different types of nuts, no nuts, granola, and/or any dried fruit or seeds). James said he even substituted 1/4 of the honey for maple syrup. The recipe recommends leaving the carrots to keep moisture - but I'm sure it will work just fine without.
**We refrigerate the bars we plan on eating at home and freeze the ones that we take with us to work so they can thaw and will be cool when we eat them (so the peanut butter doesn't get too gooey) - plus they're very good cold!
Enjoy!
Love,
Vanessa, Stephen, and Anya
