Homemade granola bars

Rob and I LOVE granola bars and I wanted to make them using what I had in the pantry.

I took two recipes and combined them to make these awesome bars.

Here is what you need for the main part of the bar:

• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cups flax seed
• 1/4 cup sesame seed
• 1 cup chopped almonds or sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.  I used sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cups shredded coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup pure honey
• 4 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (or palm sugar)
• 1 cup dried fruit

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.Combine the rolled oats, flax
seeds, sesame seed, coconut and almonds. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper or silicone sheet.

Toast for about 15-30 minutes until golden. Be sure to stir occasionally so it doesn't burn.




















In a small pan warm (or melt) the coconut oil then pour into bowl with the vanilla, honey, coconut oil and brown (or palm) sugar.

In a bowl, combine sea salt, cinnamon, and dried cranberries.

When the oat mixture is finished toasting, add everything together and mix by hand.

Line a 9" x 13" baking pan with waxed paper. Spread the mixture in the baking pan and press to create a smooth surface.

Now you need to make part 2 of the bars!

You will need:

• 1 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/3 cup coconut oil 
• 2/3 cup + 2 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• pinch of salt

Heat coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Once it melts add the remaining ingredients.  Pour this over the granola.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.

When you take it out of the refrigerator it will look like this:

Now flip it over and see that all the chocolate layer is on the bottom!

 

Cut into 2 or 3 inch squares.  Wrap them individually in wax paper and store in the fridge.

They are yummy!! One bar is so filling and full of energy!