Tuesday, January 13, 2015

TWD | Baking Chez Moi | Granola Energy Bars

Tuesdays with Dorie baking through Baking Chez Moi
by Dorie Greenspan



 

Whether you ride, hike, run, or stuck behind a desk all day, these make for a healthy and tasty snack that will help sustain you throughout your day.


These homemade energy bars are way better than any store bought that I have purchased - not to mention super easy to make.


They are made from old-fashioned oats, almonds, raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds, coconut, and dried fruit - I used cherries, golden raisins, and apricots. I also added the zest of one small (Cara-Cara) orange.

Brown rice syrup is called for in the recipe, along with unsalted butter to bind the bars; I could not find the brown rice syrup at the three local markets I frequent; though I'm sure a health food store carries it; so I used Lyle's Golden Syrup, which I was a bit shy, by about an eighth of a cup, which I made up the difference with the last of my ginger honey (about half tablespoon), and the remainder with wild flower honey.

Individually wrapped, they make for a quick, grab-and-go snack.

The oats, nuts, and seeds are lightly toasted before being mixed with the fruit, coconut, and a bit of salt. The syrup and butter are simmered then poured over the oat mixture and some vanilla is added, then the mixture is stirred until the granola is moistened throughout.

The granola is then tightly pressed into a parchment lined pan and baked for about thirty minutes, or until the granola has a golden sheen to it. After baking, the granola is once again pressed down tightly and left to cool completely, at least three hours, before being cut into bars.

I will for sure be making these again; everyone that I shared these with enjoyed them, including myself. However, next time, I will switch out the butter for coconut oil as suggested by a fellow baker, for I thought the bars were a tad oily the next day, and I swear I could taste the butter, though no one else seemed to. 

Forget those dry, hard bars that you buy in the grocery store; these were soft, moist, and delicious! I wish all "good for you" treats were this tasty.

Update: I made these again using the brown rice syrup, and coconut oil in place of the butter. They turned out firmer, not oily at all, and not as sweet. Personally I prefer the first batch made with golden syrup and butter.

It is the rule of TWD not to share the recipe on our blogs. You will find the recipe on page 328 of Baking Chez Moi; it is however, available on Google books.

Do visit my fellow baker's sites to see what their thoughts of this recipe are. You will find their links by clicking here.


16 comments:

  1. Love your photos! I agree that they were far tastier than store-bought. We liked them too.

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  2. Your bars look so good...and I love how you wrapped them separately in the top photo, am thinking this is the way to go. Also loved your little square bite (or two) sized pieces. Such fun to see all the combinations and sizes this week. And, most of all, love your photos that show a wonderful sense of your life and self. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Your hiking boots! I have them! And I love that you used different honeys as sweeteners -- that much more natural!

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  4. What a great combination of binders! Sounds even better than the brown rice syrup, especially with that bit of orange zest. I love your 'action shots'... very inspiring!

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  5. I just love these photos!!! Beautiful as always Cathy.

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  6. I think orange zest would have been a lovely addition to these delicious bars.

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  7. I LOVE your pictures! I've missed long walks but its been so cold that its not much fun to be outside, especially when the north wind is blowing around 20 mph! I'm sort of hating winter at the moment! These bars would be great to take on a hike! I confess mine are not lasting as long as they should because I kind of made a pig of myself yesterday! Lyle syrup is one of my favorites and I use it quite a bit in cooking.

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  8. Adding an orange is a wonderful idea! I can imagine the citrusy fragrance from the orange! I've enjoyed these bars too!

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  9. I forgot to tell you about St. Germaine cocktails! I use a sparkling wine and add a good 'glug' of St. Germaine. My other favorite is gin (about 2 oz), St. Germaine (about 1 oz), and club soda in a highball glass. Proportions on both are to taste. Here's to weathering the storm!

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  10. Coconut oil, that is a good suggestion. I think I am going to bring some to share to work tomorrow.

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  11. I didn't have any brown rice syrup either and ended up using honey from our neighbor. The flavor was great and the bars held together just fine. I do like your idea of adding orange that just sounds refreshing and something I would like while on a hike. Oh and combining orange and chocolate. Yup, I'm going to make these again :0)
    cheers,

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  12. Love your photos, Cathleen! You always have such a great presentation! And I am quite envious of the gorgeous looking weather you seem to be having! It is very cold and icy here on the east coast!
    Your bars look fabulous and they were so delicious!

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  13. I can't think of a better snack on a hike than a delicious home made granola bar...love all your additions and they do sound good ;)

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  14. The orange zest is a great idea. I bet it tasted fantastic in these.

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  15. I, too, love the orange zest. So many granola bars lack spark and bright flavors - I bet these were amazing.

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