Basic Add In Granola Bars

We love this recipe and the variety of combinations we can enjoy. One of our favorites is cranberries and sunflower seeds. Chocolate chips and pecans. mmmm. Until I figure out what I want to substitute the corn syrup with, #4 will have to be content with Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.

Basic Add In Granola Bars
2/3 c. oil
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. corn syrup
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. rolled oats
2 c. dried fruit, nuts, chips, coconut shreds

Preheat oven to 350. Mix oil, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla. Add oats then mix thoroughly to break the oats down for a smoother bar. Mix in fruits, nuts, chips, etc. . Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. Pat down with wax paper. Bake for 25 minutes, or until edges are golden.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

At some point during the school year, the boys started eating their lunch on the way to school or in the middle of the morning then would have no food left for lunch. To remedy that I started making things that could snack on mid morning: granola bars, fruit roll ups, apple chips, cheerio treats, etc. . . Anything to get energy to those hard working brains of theirs. 

from Menu Managed

My friend, Michelle, over at Menu Managed shared the recipe of these fantastic granola bars. Woo hoo! I love it and everyone can eat them, so I make these and Basic Add In Granola Bar every couple of weeks.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/3 c. honey
1 egg
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. chocolate chips

Beat peanut butter, honey, egg, oil and vanilla until blended.
Combine oats, brown sugar and salt in a seperate bowl.
Add oat mixture to peanut butter mixture and mix well.
Stir in chips.
Batter should be sticky.

Coat a 9x13" pan with cooking spray.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes, until edges are light brown.

Cowboy Cookies

This recipe is from Quaker Oats

Toasting the nuts and coconut really brings out the flavor and adds to the overall deliciousness of this cookie.

Cowboy Cookies modified recipe from Quaker Oats
2  cups all-purpose flour
1/2  teaspoon baking soda
1/2  teaspoon salt
1/4  teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup apple sauce, drained
1/4  cup canola oil
1  cup firmly packed brown sugar
1  cup granulated sugar
3  medium eggs
1  teaspoon vanilla
2  cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 1/2  cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3  cup chopped nuts, toasted
2/3  cup shredded coconut, toasted
2/3  cup raisins

Heat oven to 350°F.
Combined flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, mix apple sauce, oil,  and sugars, until well incorporated.
Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
Gradually add flour mixture.
Add oats, chocolate chips, nuts, coconut and raisins; mix well.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls (or a #60 or #40 disher) onto ungreased cookie sheets; flatten slightly
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown.
Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
Yield : about 4.5 dozen



Notes: Initially it was a really dry crumbly dough. I added an extra medium egg. Problem solved.
My reason ~ maybe when the recipe says "2 eggs" it meant large. If so, 2 medium eggs weren't going to cut it, an extra was needed. Don't know if that was the best solution, but it worked for me.