Make Your Own Granola 2 (MYOG) and Bars

After discovering how simple it is to make my own granola and granola bars, whenever I walk down the snack isle at the grocery store I smile to myself knowing that I can make something just as tasty and I'm saving money! Plus, there is something about being able to pick and choose what I want to go into my creations that always adds a certain level of excitement and joy to my day (yah, I know what you're thinking...'that make her happy? wow' but sadly it's true.. I'm a sucker for good ingredients and creativity).

This baking adventure was two-fold; with just a single batch I made a basic granola mix and some granola bars as well. If bars aren't your thing, feel free to stop after the granola has baked for something to sprinkle over your morning bowl of yogurt...if you are looking for something you can hold on to well then by all means, double up and make a whole batch of bars- too easy :)

This recipe makes the basic granola, which is then used in the granola bars I made as well.

Basic Granola 
Oven: 350 Bake Time: 15 minutes
Makes about 4 cups of prepared granola

2 cups quick oats
2 TBS flax seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup applesauce
2 TBS honey
2 TBS organic pure maple syrup
1 TBS oil
2 tsp cinnamon
optional: 1/4 cup dried cranberries and 1/4 cup dried blueberries

Mix oats, seeds, wheat germ, and almonds till all are evenly distributed.
Add applesauce, honey, syrup and oil. (tip: If you measure out the oil in your measuring spoon first, the honey and syrup will transfer to the bowl easier)
With wooden spoon, mix until dry ingredients are well coated.
Transfer to parchment paper lined baking sheet and place in oven to bake for 15 minutes.
After granola has been baked and cooled, mix in dried berries.
Place in airtight container for keeping.

'All Sorts of Things' Granola Bars
2 cups prepared Basic Granola
1 1/2 cup Rice Krispies
1 cup Extras* I recently purchased a pre-mixed combo of dried cranberries, dark chocolate chips, peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, dried apples, and sunflower seeds that I used, but you could potential use any combination of things- get creative the possibilities are endless! *
1 TBS oil (to coat pan)
3/4 cup almond butter
2 TBS corn syrup
3 TBS honey

In large bowl, combine rice krispies, granola and extras.
Coat a small sauce pan with 1 TBS of oil- over medium heat continually stir almond butter, corn syrup and honey until warm and smooth.
Pour warm mixture over dry ingredients and mix until combined and starting to stick together.
Transfer to parchment paper lined baking dish, pressing into pan.
Place back in oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and place on cooling rack for about 20 minutes before placing into fridge for further cooling.

Once completely cooled, cut into small squares- wrap in saran wrap, foil or wax paper to ensure shape is maintained.

 Happy Baking!

MYOG: Make Your Own Granola.. TOO EASY.

Well hello Granola Sunday. 

So lately I've been on somewhat of a health kick (I'm not counting this weekend's funnel cake..oops). I'm trying to eat more/only whole grains, eating lots of fruits, lots of veggies and as fresh as possible...even in my baking I've started incorporating whole wheat flour and natural sugar alternatives. I've also decided that if I can make it at home, I'm going to try to do so; that way I'll know exactly what is going in to my food. You would be appalled at the amount of crap they put into foods to make sure they're stay "fresh." Along these lines I've been wanting to try to make my own granola for a while now.

Who knew it was so easy?

 Not only is it super simple, it doesn't take up too much time and in the grand scheme of things you'll be saving money on the 6 granola bars you would buying for 5 dollars at the grocery store!  Not to mention you will be in complete control as to the combinations of ingredients.. if you want chocolate chunks AND raisins, well then do it to it.. you could even add dried banana if that tickled your fancy!

I found all my ingredients at Whole Foods.. have I ever mentioned how amazing that store is? Talk about health food overload... man oh man that is an amazing store.  The Whole Foods in Austin has an incredible bulk section- I could have gone completely crazy, but I just got what I needed...for this time around :)

Rest assured that MYOG will be a common occurrence from now on.. since this was my first batch I did a smaller amount, but this recipe could easily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled you name it!

Have any flavor combinations you think would just be phenomenal?? Let me know!!! :)

Sunday Granola Bars
Oven: 350 Bake time: 20 minutes

1 cup rolled oats (I used quick oats)
1 cup bran flakes (Wheaties)
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
2 TBS flax seeds
2 TBS wheat germ
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 TBS cinnamon
1/4 cup applesauce
2 TBS agave nectar
2 TBS canola oil
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup natural almond butter (or natural peanut butter)
1/4 cup honey/agave nectar (I actually did half and half)
1 tsp vanilla extract
extra TBS cinnamon
1 TBS corn syrup

In bowl combine oats, bran flakes (crush in hand before adding), pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, wheat germ, almonds, and cinnamon.
Add applesauce, agave nectar and oil. Mix until dry ingredients are coated with wet ingredients and transfer to parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Transfer to oven for 20 minutes.
Your kitchen will now smell fantastic for 20 minutes
Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes.

If you don't want granola bars you could totally stop at this point to munch on some great granola or you could keep going and make em into bars.


Add almond butter, honey/agave nectar, vanilla, cinnamon and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat, mixing constantly until all ingredients are blended and mixture becomes smooth and warm. Remove from heat.
Place baked granola back in bowl and add cranberries.
Pour warm nut butter mixture over baked granola. With a wooden spoon mix until you've got everything coated and starting to bind together.
Line small baking dish with parchment paper (I just used the paper the granola cooked on) and plop in granola mixture. Push mixture into dish, making sure to not leave big open spaces. Place in fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Once bars have cooled and set, cut into squares or bars.

A perfect way to spend your Sunday.