A Baking Heist and Home made Granola

A snack that’s sweet and chewy and a healthy one who would say no to it .

I’ve been wanting to bake some granola bars for the longest time, My latest infatuation with Cranberry's helped me bring all the components together – for a sweet and tasty bite. 

These bars cover a whole range of  food groups,they fit in the grains and nuts and the added dried fruit. And I'll be honest with you, these granola bars are really on the line between healthy snack and dessert food and on that line I did eat one for breakfast this morning. :)


Here is what i did :

• 2 cups Rolled Oats
• 1/2 cup Wheat Bran 
• 1/2 cup sliced Almonds
• 1/2 cup shredded Coconut (I used unsweetened but sweetened is good too)
• 1/4 cup chopped Walnuts
• 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup of Raisins and Cranberry's
• 3 tablespoons Butter
• 1/4 cup Brown sugar
• 1/3 cup Honey 
• 1/3 Maple Syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

You can also add Dates, Apricots, Prunes

Method:

Preheat the Oven to 165°C.

Combine the Oats, Wheat Bran,Almonds, Walnuts,Coconut,Sesame. Lay them all flat on the Baking sheet and  Bake at 165°C for 8-10 minutes, just until toasty.

While that's getting done, In a pot over medium heat stir together the butter, sugar, honey,maple syrup and vanilla extract until the butter melts. Bring it to a boil then remove from the heat. In a bowl combine the dry granola mixture with the melted butter mixture so that all the granola gets coated. At this stage while the mix is till a little warm add the dried fruits.

Line a square pan with parchment paper. Press the granola mix into the pan. Press it down well so that it lies nice and flat and Bake at 150°C for 20-25 minutes.

Once done let them remain in the pan for a while until a little cool and then cut them into Bars.