Granola Bars!

I've been MIA around here for a bit. I'm still waiting to hear back from the kids GI doctor as to the top allergen elimination diet he wants done with the littlest one, so I haven't really felt like a big cooking or baking project since I'll have to keep it from the littlest one. I found out at the end of the week after still no response to the email I sent to the doctor that he was on vacation. So, since I was sick of us eating only basics and not really trying anything new I got in the groove today and spent the day roasting myself in the kithcen with the oven and stove both going full tilt. It's supposed to be fall already, but we are still in the high 90's to 100's around our neck of the woods. But I was productive and did a lot of baking and cooking today (yesterday as well actually).

Yesterday I baked pizza's and cinnamon sticks. I made extra to freeze as well. And today I made..... are you ready for it? Drum roll please....... Granola Bars, Sweet Potato Muffins, Rosemary Olive Oil Bread (in the crock pot!), and Chili. We had the chili and bread for dinner tonight, and the granola bars and muffins are for the older boys lunch boxes for school. Oh and I was doing laundry the whole time! I'm so proud. Now I will crawl into bed and pass out! Well, once the kids are in bed that is.

Today I'll share the granola bar recipe since they are super easy and really yummy.

Basic Granola Bars

4 1/2 C Rolled Oats (regular not quick cooking, you could definitely use gluten free oats too!)
1 C Flour (choose your flour)
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Vanilla* (be aware that almost all vanilla extract is suspended in corn alcohol)
2/3 C Butter, Melted** (your choice of safe alternative like Earths Balance, depending on your allergens)
1/2 C Honey (I'm pretty syre you could use Agave Nectar as well)
1/3 C Brown Sugar Packed
1/2 C Add in of your choice, today I used raisins, but you can use nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, mini chocolate chips from Enjoy Life brand, etc.

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except for the add in item. You may need to add a bit more honey to make it really hold together. I did. Then add in your extra item and mix til distributed evenly throughout mixture. Line a cake pan with foil and spray with cooking spray, I used Olive Oil spray. The easiest way to get the foil to shape correctly to your pan is to turn the pan over so the opening is on the counter lay the foil over it and shape it to fit the pan. Once you have it fitting snugly to the outside of the pan gently pull it off, maintaining the shape as much as you can, and flip your pan over and insert the foil. Dump your granola mixture into the cake pan and using a piece of wax paper to cover your hand (this will be sticky and the wax paper will keep your hands clean and your granola in the pan) press the granola mixture down firmly and evenly throughout the pan. Make sure you really compact and press the mixture really, really good. If not it will crumble apart after you bake them and try to cut them. When you think you have it pressed down enough, do it some more! Bake at 325* for 18-22 minutes, depending on how thick they are. You want them to be really golden brown. Allow to cool in the pan. Once cooled, flip your pan over and they will dump right out. Pull the foil away and cut into individual bars. I like to "wrap" mine in individual snack size baggies so they are easy to pack in the kids lunches.

Here they are after I popped them out of the pan and peeled the foil away.

All cut into individual bars and "wrapped" in baggies ready for lunches!

*Since most Vanilla Extract is suspended in Corn Alcohol there is a simple way to make your own. Buy a 750mL bottle of Potato Vodka and 2-3 Vanilla Beans. Put the beans into the vodka and place in a cool, dark place for about a month. Shake about once a week to mix up and get the bean to release more vanilla-ness.

**I have recently come to realize that the Earths Balance Soy Free Margarine that we've been using contain corn products (insert sad face here) and maybe one of the reasons the littlest one is still reacting. So someone, don't remember who, but someone I'm following on Pinterest pinned a Vegan "Butter" that looks super easy to make at home. I have yet to make it, but its dairy, soy, corn and gluten free! I'm super stoked to make it and once I make my next trip to the health foods store to get some of the ingredients I will let you all know how it comes out and pass on the recipe.