Classic Glo Bar ... An "Oh She Glows" Recipe

Well...where to begin.  It's been 15 months since I blogged last...how did that happen?  I'm officially getting a jump start on my 2015 goals and hitting "publish" on this post!  I originally wrote this post back in September...and without further delay...here it is!

New blog is still in works...but I NEEDED to blog this recipe today in honour of the very first food blogger I ever started following.  Angela welcomed her little girl into the world this past weekend.  And...she's Canadian...so that's just amazing.

I remember way back when I discovered Angela she was selling these granola bars online, out of her home, and they looked so amazing.  I never actually ordered any, although I drooled over them many times.  Years later...her beautiful cookbook is released and she graciously includes the recipe!

If you have her new book Oh She Glows...move away from your computer and go make page 215 right now!  If not...run to Costco or Chapters and pick up your copy!!  These are for sure the best granola bar recipe I've tasted.  Not too sweet...a little crispy like a Rice Krispie square (who doesn't like that!?)...works to keep at room temperature since it doesn't include coconut oil...and it has chocolate in it!!  I made the recipe exactly as is.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I will definitely follow her suggestion and try them with Sunbutter so that I can send them to school with the boys.

This page in my book already has syrup stuck to it...it's officially been christened...a Wiebe house favourite.

I made a double batch right off the bat...I know I can trust Angela's recipes to be amazing.  Once they were set I cut them into single portions, then wrapped them individually and stuck them in the freezer.  This way everyone in the house has a healthy and yummy, quick go-to snack...or even breakfast in a pinch.  Wrapping them individually prevents them from quickly disappearing as tiny slivers are cut as each person walks through the kitchen.  What?   I KNOW that happens at your house too;)

Don't be alarmed by the cost of the ingredients in these.  A bar of this quality would easily go for $3...minimum...at a local coffee shop.  This double batch made 24 servings for our freezer...essentially that's $72 in "snacks"...not bad my friends...not bad.

CLASSIC GLO BAR
*all credit to Angela Liddon, Oh She Glows
*also found here

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten free if necessary)
1 1/4 cups brown rice crisp cereal
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
2 Tbsp chia seeds
1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
1⁄4 tsp fine-grain sea salt
1⁄2 cup, plus 1 Tbsp, brown rice syrup
1⁄4 cup roasted peanut butter or almond butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1⁄4 cup mini non-dairy chocolate chips


DIRECTIONS
1. Line a 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the first 9 ingredients.  Stir well.
3. In a small pot, stir together the brown rice syrup and nut butter.  Cook slowly over medium heat until the mixture thins and bubbles slightly.  Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
4. Pour the nut butter mixture over the oat mixture.  Stir to combine fully...you may need some elbow grease.  Allow this mixture to cool for a few minutes before adding the chocolate chips. This will prevent them from melting.
5. Carefully scrape all of the mixture into your prepared pan, spreading it out into an even layer. If needed, lightly wet your hands and press down on the mixture to even it out. This helps the bars hold together better.
6. Place your bars in the freezer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes...if you can wait that long:)
7. Remove your bars from the pan and cut into 12 equal portions.
8. Wrap the bars individually and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in thefreezer for up to 1 month.



Thank you Angela for sharing your gift with the world.  Congratulations and many blessings on your new family of 3.