No-Bake Maple Walnut Granola Clusters

Apr 12, 2013 By Cheri in Breakfast, Snacks 8 Comments Tags: easy, granola, maple, no bake, walnut

This recipe came about as kind of a mistake. I was attempting to make a new granola bar recipe using unprocessed sugars and the results were one crumbly, crispy granola bar that ended up basically just turning into granola. So we crumbled some up and made parfaits with unsweetened yogurt and fruit. Oh my goodness was it ever delicious!

It’s more nut heavy then a traditional granola, giving it that much more staying power and making it a great breakfast or snack to help power you through your day. It helps to sweeten and balance the tanginess of plain yogurt while also giving that much desired granola crunch. I now make it specifically for granola and yogurt parfaits. Since it’s no bake, it takes no time to throw together which makes it easy to whip up a batch any time I need. It’s especially convenient if I just don’t have the time to whip up a batch of homemade granola.

With all the berries coming into season soon, I’m looking forward to making this many times over the spring and summer months. Especially because I won’t have to turn on the oven and heat up my house to do so!

Maple Walnut Granola Clusters

For a sweeter taste, swap out 1/2 cup raisins (or other dried fruit) for 1/2 cup of the chopped walnuts. Stir in the raisins after toasting the oats and walnuts.

2 cups rolled oats
2 cups roughly chopped walnuts
pinch salt
1/2 cup maple syrup

Place the oats and walnuts in a non-stick skillet set over medium heat. Allow to toast, stirring often, just until fragrant. Remove from heat and sprinkle with salt.

Place maple syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; let boil for 2 minutes, or until large bubbles begin to form. Remove from heat and pour over oats and walnuts, stirring to evenly combine. Spread evenly onto a sheet of parchment paper. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Enjoy in yogurt with fruit.

Makes: 4 cups

(Healthier) No-Bake Granola Bars

Jul 13, 2012 By Cheri in Cookies & Bars, GF Sweets, Gluten Free, Kids, Snacks 6 Comments Tags: bars, chewy, Fruit, granola, honey, no bake, nuts, oats, toasted

It has been HOT here this week. We all tend to lose our appetites when it’s so hot out so we’ve been keeping mealtimes really simple by having lot’s of salads, fruits and veggies with a little side of grilled meat. I didn’t turn on my oven once this week, but in preparation for our camping trip coming up, I wanted to prepare some “baked goods”. Enter the delight of the “no-bake goods”.

I really like my original no-bake granola bars, but I didn’t make them too often because I started feeling guilty about the amount of sugar in them. Fine for dessert, but for a mid-day snack that I’m going to be feeding my children? Not so much. So, I tried out a new version, a healthier version, added a few more things to make it more nutritious and now I’ve got a no-bake granola bar without the guilt.

These granola bars are chewy and sweet, with the taste of honey, toasted oats and nuts and little bites of sweet, plump raisins. Package them up and bring them along on your picnics or trips to the beach. Who needs those wimpy store-bought granola bars when you can have such delicious ones, so simply, at home?

No-Bake Granola Bars

To make these gluten-free use gluten-free certified oats.

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

1/2 cup dried fruit (I used raisins)

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

pinch salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium-sized skillet, toast oats and nuts over medium heat until fragrant. Remove to a bowl, along with dried fruit and set aside.

In the same skillet add butter, honey, brown sugar and salt. Cook until bubbling and then continue to cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over oat mixture; stir well until evenly coated.

Press into a 8×8 inch baking pan, lined with parchment paper. Wet fingers to keep from sticking. You want the pack to be quite firm.

Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Using the edges of the parchment paper, remove from pan. Using a serrated knife cut the bars in half and then into 6, creating 12 granola bars. Store, covered, at room temperature. Separate with pieces of parchment or wax paper, if stacking on top of each other.

Makes: 12

Adapted from Lauren’s Latest. Originally from Rachael Ray.

Kids in the Kitchen: No-Bake Granola Bars

Mar 3, 2011 By Cheri in GF Sweets, Gluten Free, Kids, Snacks 47 Comments Tags: bars, chewy, coconut, granola, no bake, nuts, oats, raisins

Remember how I told you I like to scarf down granola bars in the middle of the night but since I haven”t been able to find any here yet I”ve been eating spoonfuls of peanut butter instead? Well, it was just too much for me to bear so I decided to create my own. I may have a problem. Not that I mind because these granola bars are even better then the ones at the store and they are so simple to make. Simple is key these days.

Life has been hectic here lately and I”m starting to realize that my once quick and simple recipes aren”t so quick and simple when you have a baby on the breast and a toddler clinging to your leg. (These two things do happen simultaneously but not while I”m cooking. I am no wonder mommy!) For the next couple of months my time in the kitchen is going to have to simplify even more. That”s when I”m thankful for recipes like this.

These No-Bake Granola Bars are fast and easy enough that I can have a half decent snack lying around without getting stressed out in the process. I know this phase will go by quickly and in no time Alli will be having proper naps and I”ll better be able to plan my time. But for now, I”ll stick to the simple things and enjoy the little people while I have them.

The fact that these are no bake makes them perfect to make with kids because it eliminates any guess work. Most homemade granola bars I”ve had end up dry and crumbly. With these you don”t need to wonder whether they”re under or over baked. You just put them in the fridge for half and hour and then slice and serve. They”re also great for kids with short attention spans since they”re whipped up in jiffy. :)

If you have a teenager in the house they could even tackle this recipe on there own. It would be a great “first” recipe to try.

Kids Can

measure ingredients

stir toasting nuts

toss mixture together

line pan with plastic wrap

press mixture into pan

wrap individual bars

They”re packed full of toasted oats, nuts, coconut and raisins and have a nice chewy texture. The cinnamon and molasses add a great depth of flavour and make them very addicting. Don”t say I didn”t warn you!

One Year Ago: Thin Crust Pizza Dough and a Simple Sauce

No-Bake Granola Bars

2 .5 cups rolled oats

1.5 cups nuts (I used walnuts and pecans)

1/4 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup raisins

6 tablespoons salted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1.5 teaspoon cinnamon

6 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoon molasses

Toast oats, nuts and coconut in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, stirring often. Remove to a large bowl and toss with raisins.

Place butter, sugar, cinnamon, honey and molasses in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir into oat mixture until evenly coated. Let sit just until cool enough to handle.

In the meantime, line a 7×11 inch pan with plastic wrap. Spoon mixture into pan, pressing down to compact. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Remove from pan, peel away plastic wrap and slice into 16 bars (half lengthwise and then into 8). Wrap individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, if desired. Store covered at room temperature.

Makes: 16 servings

* If making gluten free make sure that the oats are gluten free

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On another note I am honored to say that I”ve been included in Babble”s Top 100 Mom Food Bloggers. Ranking #8 for Best Recipes. I”m tickled pink and hope that I can live up to the “title”. If you have time time I”d appreciate a click through and a like on facebook or a tweet on flickr. You can see my profile here. Thanks guys. Your the best! :)