Late night granola chef

First off...my picture taking skills are horrendous, at best.  I wish I had some creative skills...and I wish I had a nice camera  (Hubby, you reading this?  hint. hint. hint.)   But, I am still going to take them and unfortunately....post them.

Last night I decided to do make some Low Fat Chewy Granola Bars close to bedtime so that I could bring some to work with me.  I don't know why I torture myself like that.  My family knows that I am a beast if I do not get sleep.   I didn't want to make eye contact with the camera because I was tired, grumpy, and frumpy.  But, the granola bars are delish...and a staple in this house.  I LOVE them because I make them with natural products (none of those long ingredients we can't pronounce).  PLUS they taste delicious!   And..they are cheap!  Buying a box of 6 granola bars at the store cost me close to $3 a box.  I can make 20 granola bars for less than $3.   I am now your bestie for sharing the recipe.........



LOW FAT CHEWY GRANOLA BARS -  Makes 20 granola bars
Nutrition: 150 Calories; 26g carbs; 3g protein, 4g fat, 14g sugar
1/4 cup lite brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup (I use the natural kind)
1/4 cup honey
2 TBSP peanut butter (I use Skippy Natural PB, or I grind my own)
1 large egg white
3 TBSP unsweetened almond milk (you could use regular milk)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups oats (I use the Quaker old fashioned oats)
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

Optional Ingredients:  (I use ALL of these...but you can use whatever you'd like!)
handful of craisins or raisins
handful of white chocolate chips (or chocolate chips)
handful of almonds (chop 'em up)
handful of shredded coconut (optional!)


In a medium bowl, use a mixer to mix together the sugar, maple syrup, honey, PB, egg white, milk, vanilla until the mixture is thick and creamy and well blended.  In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cinnamon, allspice, & baking soda.  Combine both the creamy mixture and flour mixture together and blend well with the mixer.  Once it's well blended, add the oats & rice krispies and mix with a large spoon until oats & rice krispies are well disbursed.  Then, add any of the extra ingredients you'd like! 

Don't mind the mess...and don't mess with me....I'm tired!

Lay down Parchment Paper in a 9X13 baking pan.  (I've never tried this recipe without the parchment paper, and I probably wouldn't attempt doing so).  Flatten the granola bar mixture into the pan, on top of the parchment paper.  Use a hard spoon and firmly flatten mixture as even as possible. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or until outside edges are slightly golden brown.  

Let granola bars sit for just a short few minutes, and then "score" them into bars.  Don't fully cut them yet, because the mixture is still soft.  But, if you "score" the tops, then it will be easier to take a knife later and cut them into nice bars.  I like to cut the bars long-wise so they look like actual granola bars, but you can cut them like you would brownies. 

I usually keep them in the pan, and then throw them in the fridge for about an hour so they harden.  I'm too impatient to wait...and usually the Hubster smells the granola goodness and can't wait either. 

YUM!  The black spot in the middle is a shadow.  I warned you about my picture-taking skills.