Monday, May 7, 2012

Granola Bars

I found the original recipe (posted below) on pinterest, but in order to make it a little more healthy I made these changes.  I have wanted to try applesauce in place of the banana, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.  Also, to the original recipe I just like to add everything together and not do the layers. 
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mashed banana
1 tea. vanilla
3 cups quick oats
1 cup chocolate chips ( I have used just semi-sweet, and once I mixed semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips)
1/2 cup peanut butter
sesame seeds, nuts, coconut, raisins or craisins etc. (as much as you like)

Instructions
Melt butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add chocolate chips and peanut butter and other extra mix ins to pan and stir to mix together.
Press into 8x8 dish ( I like to line the dish with either wax paper or plastic wrap, so it is easier to get out of the pan). Refrigerate for about 3 hours.


Original Recipe:

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups quick oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions:
Melt butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. press half of mixture in the bottom of a buttered 8x8 dish.
In microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate and peanut butter, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and blended. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the crust, reserving a couple spoonfuls to drizzle over the top.
Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over chocolate and peanut butter, pressing gently to form a crust. Drizzle the remaining chocolate and peanut butter over the top of the bars.
refrigerate for 3 hours.

1 comment:

elizabeth said...

Thanks for posting this Jolene! I've been wanting to try these and am glad to have your variations.