Chewy Granola Bars

Is it just me, or are mommy blogs and pinterest loaded in no-bake granola bars these days??!! I've bookmarked so many varieties that I've lost count! Finally this morning I decided to give one recipe a whirl. I say 'recipe' loosely cause I needed to use just what I had on hand, so I made a few switcharoos! In the end...I can now understand why everyone is talking about them...they are so yummy! I'm anxious to try more flavours now! My blog of choice to use a recipe from was my new favourite blog... The Marathon Mom ...she inspires me on many levels. She is a self-proclaimed 'granola bar junkie'...so I figured she knew what she was talking about:) Here's her recipe, with the switches I made based on what was in my pantry this morning...I'm guessing you can be pretty flexible with these guys...gotta love that in a recipe! Thanks Brandy at Marathon Mom...check her out!

Our boys LOVED these...and had fun helping make them...I'm guessing Jay loved them too since half the pan was gone when we got home from town this morning!!! A good & filling go-to snack for all ages! Beats any packaged granola bar, anyday:)


Chewy Granola Bars

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (I used almond butter)
1/3 cup local honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cups oats
1 1/2 TBSP wheat germ (I used flax meal)
1/2 cup ground flax seed (I used Chia)
1/4 cup peanuts (I used sliced almonds)
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Melt peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil together in a small sauce pan over low/medium heat, stirring constantly. It only takes a minute or two to melt.

2. In mixing bowl, combine all other ingredients except for chocolate chips, and stir well.

3. Pour liquid mixture over dry mixture and stir til well combined.

4. Press mixture into parchment lined 8×8 pan.

5. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top and press down firmly with hands.

6. Place in fridge or freezer to set.

7. Flip the foil out onto cutting board and cut into desired bar sizes. I like to cut a dozen rectangle shaped bars.

Store in fridge for best results.

I'm a self-proclaimed peanut butter and chocolate junkie...so I can't wait to try her version of these!!

Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day...from our family to yours! Made these last night to enjoy at lunch today...totally a favourite of mine...so there was a slight selfish motivation there!! Gotta love having a sharp edged heart cookie cutter on days like today!

Baked this cake again on the weekend as well to share with some great friends...simple, healthy and festive!! Whipped up another batch last night to use in my heart-shaped muffin tin...you'll get to indulge in those if you're attending my husband's Dr's Report tonight:)

Had intentions of trying about 300 new ideas from Pinterest for Valentine's Day...but was apparently too lazy!! I'll file them away for next year:) In the meantime our boys are still impressed with cutting their toast into hearts with a cookie cutter at breakfast time! I have a feeling that might change as they grow up:)

Hope you're feelin' the love today too!!