Granola Bar Low-Down

This one is tricky. I have been searching for the best granola bar recipe for years! One that kids will eat and enjoy for a snack, and one that's not full of processed junk. So I found my top three and wanted to share. Enjoy making something you know your kids can snack on all they want! And please - share your thoughts!

First Place:

Fruit and Nut Energy Bars

These are the best! Simple ingredients, easy to make, and so tasty! So much sweeter than I had expected, but no added sugar! They barely lasted one day!

The recipe says it makes six, but I only got three. So double the recipe. Or better yet, Triple it and freeze some! Thats what I am planning on doing. There are a lot of variations on this one - and they are all good! I think I like the cherry one the best. You tell me what you think.

Click here for recipe.

Second Place:

Macro Bars

I got this recipe from my good old Rawsome Recipe cookbook, some of it is quack I have to admit, but this recipe is a gem! I love pure wholesome ingredients and you will be shocked when you taste it! Just don't tell anyone whats in them! I think they are good enough to serve at a luncheon. :) My three year old could not stop eating them!

1/2 C Melted Organic Butter (I only did about a 1/3)

1/2 C Agave or Honey (kids love it with maple syrup)

1 1/4 C Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

1/2 C Rolled Oats

1/2 C millet, ground in a processor or coffee grinder (I didn't grind mine and it was fine, slightly more crunchy)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 C prunes, soaked in enough warm water to cover them for 1 hour.

1- Drain prunes, saving water

2- Combine all ingredients except prunes. If too dry, slowly add prune water.

3- Spread dough on cookie sheet. Keep hands moist so it doesn't stick.

4- Process prunes in processor with enough of the prune water to make a firm, but spreadable icing.

5- Spread prune topping on batter and bake 25 minutes at 350. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Third place:

Walnut and Dried Cherry Bars

These are the perfect balance between yummy and healthy, with good fats and full of fiber! I put these third place because they are a little more time intensive and slightly messy considering they have jam on top. They slightly have more of an adult taste and texture, but they are good!

1 C quick cooking Oats
3/4 C Whole-Wheat pastry flour, White whole wheat Flour, or just whole wheat flour
1/4 C toasted wheat Germ
1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 C Honey
1/3 C unsweetened Applesauce
1/4 C Canola Oil
1 egg, beaten
1 egg white
3/4 C Chopped dried tart cherries
1/2 C finely chopped walnuts
1/4 C "Fruit Only" preserves

(some of these ingredients can be hard to find. I usually find everything at Trader Joes, but I am sure whole foods would carry the tart cherries and fruit preserves. Wheat Germ is sold at your grocery store.)

Combine dry ingredients. In seperate bowl combine wet ingredients (excluding perserves) Mix both together well, place in lightly greased 8x8 pan and bake for 30 minutes at 350. Bring preserves to boil in small saucepan. Spread a thin layeracross bars right when they get out of oven, let cool completely, cut into bars about 4 x 1 1/2 inches, and store in airtight container.
Hope You Enjoy!!
(I got this recipe from one of my favorite shows on the Food Network called Healthy Appetite!)

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