Cereal Bars

So, I'd happened on a recipe I thought could be adapted to a healthy cereal bar. I think I did it! We have lovely apple cinnamon cereal bars now!

Combine the following in a saucepan and bring to a boil to thicken:
1 3/4 cups mashed fruit/applesauce
1 tbsp sugar/honey (optional)
sprinkle of cinnamon
splash of vanilla

Combine the following in a large bowl
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil, softened
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Original recipe called for a 9x9 pan but I thought a thinner crust and more fruit was better so I use a 7x11 (or 8x12 or whatever size my pan is, definitely smaller than 9x13). Grease your pan. Spread and pat down 2/3 of the oat/flour mixture in the pan. Spread your slightly thicker fruit mixture over next then sprinkle over the remaining oat/flour mixture. Bake at 400 for approximately 20 minutes. Let them cool to at least warm before you slice into them. Enjoy!

Granola Bars

I finally got around to making granola bars today. Of course I decided to try the ATK recipe first. I modified it slightly of course and may continue to do so, but it is pretty good! The kids want some chocolate chips, so I will probably have to find some mini ones sometime. Oh, and I'm wondering if I could use butter instead of vegetable oil, maybe I try the sub next week. I want to add that these dried fairly crunchy. I was looking for more of a chewy thing. They do taste good though. I'm wondering if I bake it for less time maybe that would do it. Or I may try Alton Brown's recipe and see if it is chewier.

3.5 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup veg oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 ounces honey
3 ounces light brown suger (I halved the recipe hence the weird measurements)
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract (oops forgot this, but they're still good!)
1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional (I opted no)
3/4 cup seeds/nuts/etc (I used sunflower seeds and sliced almonds and some coconut, probably more than 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup wheat germ (I added this, could probably add ground flax seed too though)

Preheat oven to 375. Toss together oats, salt, and oil in a 9x13 pan and toast in the oven about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Heat honey and brown sugar together in the microwave until sugar is dissolved, stirring in cinnamon and vanilla when done. When oats are done, lower oven to 300 degrees. Stir together all ingredients in a big bowl. Dust out your 9x13 pan and spray with cooking spray. Pour your mixture into the pan and press firmly down to pack it in good. I used some parchment paper to help me along. Bake until golden, for me that was about 20 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes, then flop out onto your counter and cut into bars. I made 24 Quaker chewy sized bars. And, these seem a lot more filling!