homemade granola bars

A few months ago my sisters, mom and I went to Canyon Ranch (a health and wellness center) in Lenox Massachusetts for a little getaway.  It was AMAZING and deserves it’s own post (coming soon), but we learned so much from our trip that it’s been hard to narrow it down to one post.  One thing that stuck with us though were the yummy granola bars they had on hand for you all over the campus.  Luckily, they offer up the recipe on their website here: fruit & nut bars

And I am bringing it to you – along with pictures!  my notes in red

Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped pecans use whatever nuts you have on hand and the don’t have to be chopped to begin with
1/2 cup chopped almonds
3/4 cup honey honey quality is important!  I used a mixture of sourwood and wildflower honey because it’s what i had – tupelo is good too
2 3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup dried chopped apples
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sliced dates, about 10 medium
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325º. Lightly coat a 9 x 13 x 1/2-inch baking sheet with canola oil. Spread nuts on baking sheet and toast lightly for 5 minutes.

 
Warm honey in microwave or over low heat on stovetop to the consistency of a thin
syrup. 30 seconds

Place nuts in the bowl of a food processor. Chop briefly.

Add oats, cranberries, apples,raisins, dates and cinnamon. Turn on machine and mix briefly until all ingredients are chopped.

 

While machine is running, drizzle in warm honey until mixture binds.

 
4.  Lightly spray baking sheet (same one used for nuts) with canola oil. Press mixture into baking sheet.

Lightly spray parchment paper with canola oil (or don’t it didn’t matter much for me). Using a rolling pin, roll (over parchment) until mixture is even.

next time i will add chocolate chips (MJ is a HUGE fan but thinks they need chocolate and i agree!)

Place in freezer for at least 30 minutes. Cut into 16 bars.

Serving Information
Makes 16 bars, each containing approximately:
190 calories
36 gm. carbohydrate
5 gm. fat
0 mg. cholesterol
3 gm. protein
7 mg. sodium
3 gm. fiber

For best results, store wrapped or in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

I like to put mine in individual baggies for serious on the go snacking and then store in the fridge in an air tight container

 

If you have time – make some to take along for the 4th of July festivities and have a safe and fun holiday!