I have tried for years to make a decent granola bar…one that doesn’t fall apart in my hand or practically crack a filling when I try to bite into it. I had almost given up hope of finding a recipe that produced a crispy on the edges, chewy in the center bar that was easy to work with and had tons of flavor and texture. I recently found this recipe at ALEXANDRA’S KITCHEN and, with just a few minor changes, I think my granola bar issues are resolved. Alexandra calls these bars Acrobatic Granola Bars because they bend in the middle without breaking…I had to laugh at that! I’m definitely not acrobatic! I’m not the only one with GB problems. One of my favorite bloggers, DAVID LEBOVITZ, calls them his nemeses and has sworn off ever trying to make them again. The issues are all the same, too hard, too soft, too sweet, crumbly…on and on. Should I drop him a note and tell him I found THE recipe?
As long as you keep the ratio of dry to wet ingredients listed in the recipe you can substitute any dried fruits and nuts and use different nut butters to achieve different flavors. In this recipe I used peanut butter and added some chopped peanuts as part of the quantity of nuts called for. Alexandra mentioned that she used dried blueberries and didn’t care for them because they were overpowering. She doesn’t like peanut butter for the same reason. I thought it was good…I like peanuts, but next time I will try almond or cashew butter that I can purchase at my farmers’ market. If you want a gluten free GB use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats. When you have combined your ingredients pat the mixture firmly into a parchment lined 9×9-inch square pan and bake for 23 minutes.
The parchment paper lifts easily out of the pan when the bars are done. Let them cool and then slice into the desired size. I used a ruler and a pizza cutter to slice them and it worked like a charm.
As you will notice, this recipe contains corn syrup. If you have a problem with this you can substitute honey. I don’t know if you will get the same results, but if it’s an issue it’s worth a try. Purchased GB’s can have a list a mile long of unrecognizable ingredients and I like being able to choose what I add to the recipe. As always, homemade is best.
- 1 cup rolled oats. I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- ¾ cup slivered almonds. I like a combination of nuts so I added some peanuts and hazelnuts too, unsalted.
- ½ cup sweetened coconut
- ¼ cup dried fruit - your choice of raisins, cranberries, cherries, whatever you like best
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- ⅓ cup nut butter: peanut, almond, hazelnut, cashew -whatever you prefer
- ¼ cup corn syrup. This creates the chewiness of the bar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Combine the rolled oats, nuts, coconut and dried fruit in a large bowl. Set aside.
- To prepare the pan: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom and sides of a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. If you lightly grease the pan the parchment will stick to it. Leave an overhang of paper so you can pull the cookies out of the pan after they are baked.
- To make the cookies: Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, nut butter and corn syrup. Mix well. Add to the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until well combined. Spread into the prepared pan and press it in well to flatten it. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned on top. The longer you bake it the crisper the bars will be. I baked this batch for 22 minutes and thought it was just right. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 30 minutes. Pull up on the parchment paper and remove the cookies from the pan. Place the block on a cutting board and cut into pieces. Let cool completely before storing.
SINGING DOG VANILLA’S giveaway is still open. If you would like a chance to win some of their wonderful vanilla products just leave a comment on this post.
This post is linked to FOODIE FRIDAY at Rattlebridge Farm
Those look great. Glad you got the problem figured out now!
These look so good… not too thick.
Oh they look scrumptious cathy.. love that they are soft!
And the wrapping? So cute…
Thank you.
Monique recently posted..Galettes De Framboises~
GBs are a booger to make. These look great.
Debra recently posted..Garden at the Lake
My son is always looking for a good granola bar recipe, I’ll pass this along Cathy! How’d I miss your give-away??? Please toss my name in the hat, I’ve never tried vanilla bean paste and it would be fun-thanks:@)
Happier Than A Pig in Mud recently posted..Grilling Veggies in a Cast Iron Skillet-Corn with Peppers and Onion
I enjoyed seeing Susan’s blog and her current shots of you.
Larry recently posted..Fried Green Tomato BLT & A Learning
They certainly look delicious! I haven’t made granola or granola bars for years – perhaps it’s time to try again.
Home made is absolutely the best, these look awesome. I made some before and they just fell apart!
Rhonda recently posted..The Person Behind the Plate #5
I have been wanting to try making these granola bars but have not really got down to making them. A great procrastinator….huh….haha. No, life is sometimes just too busy and maybe I play too much 😛 But your granola bar sounds perfect. I need to bookmark this to try. Thanks very much for sharing. Hope you are enjoying your day.
MaryMoh recently posted..My Daughter’s Fun Wedding To Remember
Thanks for the great GB recipe! I’d love to give them a try, Cathy. The giveaway sounds awesome… please enter my name. Thanks!
Kitty recently posted..Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’ve tried, without success to make granola bars, but want to give these a shot. They look delicious and my three teenaged boys will be gobbling them up in a flash if they work out.
I hope you try this recipe, Colleen. I can’t think of a better snack for busy teenagers and they could easily survive the day in a backpack. Kids need as many healthy snacks as we can make for them.
Cathy recently posted..Chewy Granola Bars
These granola bars look FANTASTIC!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Gluten Free Brown Rice Bread
Cathy, I am with you…trying to find a GB that doesn’t break teeth, etc. These look great and yes, I would definitely let David Lebovitz know. You just might make his day.
Susan recently posted..Schnitzel and the Trout meets Wives with Knives
These look perfect–can’t wait to try them. Like tomorrow.
Cindy Harris recently posted..Butter Chicken
Homemade granola is always the best. I’ve never tried making it, but have had some that friends have made. And if I did try it, wouldn’t dare try to form it into bars for the very reason of a crumbling disaster. These look beautiful Cathy. I’d love to try this recipe.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Wilted Kale Salad with Shrimp and Avocado
If you get the urge to make some GB I know you will be happy with this recipe, Lea Ann. And they keep well. I’m looking forward to experimenting with different fruits and nuts. Hope you will try it.
Cathy recently posted..Chewy Granola Bars
My kids would love these Cathy! They look delicious.
Pam recently posted..Hawaiian Chicken Thighs
I will definitely be trying these. I love having something homemade like this to grab in the morning.
My husband would be so pleased if I made these for him, Cathy! He loves to snack on granola bars at work, when he can’t go out to lunch.
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti recently posted..Firehouse Quilt Show In Castle Rock, CO
I’m almost afraid to try it, Cathy. I have rotten luck with granola bars…even Ina’s didn’t turn out right and she never misses!
I’ve saved the recipe and when my daughter is home again, I’ll try it. She loves granola.
Barbara recently posted..Coffee and Cocoa Granita
I bet you will love this recipe, Barbara. I didn’t like Ina’s recipe either (one of the few of hers I really didn’t care for). As with so many GB recipes, the taste is good but they fall apart. I hope you will give this a try.
Cathy recently posted..Chewy Granola Bars
I’ve always had problems with GB’s too. Add to my issues, I don’t like peanut butter (most nuts, for that matter) or coconut. Been wanting to try cashew butter–I do love cashews! This may be the incentive I needed!
P.S. Please enter me in the vanilla contest, too! Don’t know how that slipped past me!
Hi Heidi – You can easily make these bars without peanuts. I hope you try it because they are really delicious. Everything I was looking for in a GB.
Cathy recently posted..Chewy Granola Bars
I can already see the possibilities with this recipe, Cathy! I hate a rock-hard granola bar or one that falls into pieces at the first bite. Thanks so much for sharing this and yes, you should email David
Susan recently posted..Rhubarb-Strawberry Hand Pies
I had tried making granola bars and they stuck on the parchment for some reason…yours looks so wonderful…cuts up so neat…hope I can get a decent looking bar if I get the chance to bake this.
Jeannie recently posted..Brownies with walnuts
These look amazing! I have all the ingredients on hand to make these and I’m anxious to get started but I just have one question. The ingredients call for 3/4 cup slivered almonds or a combination of nuts and two ingredients later says 1/2 cup nuts. Do we add both for a total of 1¼ cups of nuts? Thanks for a delicious recipe!!
Hi Patsy – Thank you so much for bringing that to my attention. I had intended to change it but must have gotten side tracked and forgot. A common occurrence unfortunately. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy these bars. I think they are the best.!
Cathy recently posted..Chewy Granola Bars
Thanks for replying to fast! They will be going into the oven in just a few minutes =)
I’ve never tried making granola bars, but it’s nice to know you did all the research and I can zoom right in on your recipe. They look great.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Sise Delle Monache
I have tried many recipes and this is the best! These are great to have in your purse when you are traveling. They hold up well and will give a nice energy boost.
Cathy recently posted..Chewy Granola Bars
Oh yeah! All of my co-workers ask about your amazing granola bars, now I can direct them here
How delicious, Cathy. I love your wraps, too. My DH will love these bars–so easy to pop into his pocket for a healthy snack. Have a great weekend!
How cool that you’ve solved the secret to making the perfect granola bar. I think David L might be a little envious
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Big Dude’s BBQ Ribs and a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest with Friends and Family
I haven’t tried making granola bars…now I have no excuse since you have found the perfect recipe.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Huevos Rancheros, A Fiesta Of Flavors
I think I need to try this one. I have a recipe I love, but they do seem to fall apart easily. I like the idea of the nut butter, yummm!
Marilyn recently posted..Magic
I tried this twice. Once with dried blueberries and once with dried cranberries. Both were really good. The first time they were a little too soft (still really good) the next time I baked them for a minute or two longer (23 – 24 minutes) and they were perfect they held together yet were chewy. I may never buy them again.
nut butter is not sold where i live. could margarine be substituted?
Hi Deanna – I don’t believe margarine would be a suitable substitute for nut butter. If peanut butter isn’t available where you live I would try grinding nuts in a blender until they form a paste.
Cathy recently posted..Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
I don’t believe margarine would be a suitable substitute for nut butter. If peanut butter isn’t available where you live I would try grinding nuts in a blender until they form a paste.
Cathy recently posted..Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars