Homemade Granola Bars

Hi everyone!


     This is my first blog, however; I am an avid blog follower and YouTuber.  I have been talking about beginning a fitness challenge for a little while now.  My friend wanted me to blog my challenge for motivation.  We have a little group of girls we share group text messages and pictures with so I thought why not share a blog with everyone.  Today I planned on starting the May 30 Day Challenge with bodyrock.tv but unfortunately I woke up with a migraine.  My body has not felt up to the challenge all day :( I made some granola bars instead.  Let me know if you make the granola bars too and what you think of them.


{you can see my Homemade Granola Bars HERE}


     Please stay posted for my new blog adventure!  I will try to post once or every other week, I am new to this and have yet to find what works with my schedule.


Enjoy!

Let's get started!!

.:: INGREDIENTS ::.

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2/3 cup honey

1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed {I used regular}

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup chopped pitted dates {I did not use pitted ones, I cut the pits out}

1/2 cup chopped dried apricots

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350 and butter a 8X12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.  Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the the wheat germ.

Reduce temperature to 300.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.  Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Cool for 2-3 hours before cutting into pieces.

.:: FOOD ::.

RECIPE :: BAREFOOT CONTESSA BACK TO BASICS

ISBN :: 978-1-4000-5435-0 

{Purchase HERE}