Farmhouse Cooking.......Granola Bars

fresh from the oven
granola bars

   Over the years I have come to realize that active kids eat alot; active teens eat even more! In an effort to improve the quality of the food we eat, handle food allergies, and blood sugar issues, most of our foods are made by hand. One of our kids' favorite snacks has always been granola bars; not the sugary junk found on super market shelves, but real oats and honey- hand made ones.
   Granola bars lend themselves to so many unique combinations of fruits, nuts and grains. With so much room for creativity all the various tastebuds in the family are easily satisfied. Our home has a few standards we love to keep on hand: peanut butter chocolate chip, and almond cranberry-chip.

Farmhouse Granola Bars

1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
1/2 cup honey
2 eggs
4 Tablespoons flax meal
6 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
**1/2 cup chopped almonds
**1/2 cup dried cranberries

** optional variations

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl, being sure everything is well coated. In a lightly oiled baking sheet, spread the oat mixture evenly. Bake the bars for twenty minutes. Score the bars when they come out of the oven, allowing them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

   Lightly crunchy and just sweet enough, these granola bars are a great pick-me-up between classes or after a hard days work (or play). I make these weekly, sometimes twice a week depending upon our schedule. Now, give these yummy snacks a try!

simplychele