Pippajo asked me for a recipe for granola bars, and this is the closest I can come! You can take this information and google it, and see what you come up with. Later, you won't remember what you did, and then you will be just like me! 🙂
You know Rice Krispie Treats? Basically, it's 6-8 cups of puffed rice (a big no-no for the Nourishing Traditions way of eating, but I'm still not sure why), a package of marshmallows (possibly on no list of healthy foods), and a 1/4 cup of butter.
Okay, now, we are going to brainstorm how to make chewy granola bars, which are enhanced Rice Krispie Treats, ourselves.
I had a nice, aged package of half-eaten marshmallows (yes, left over from the summer s'more-making days — one can never end up zeroed out on s'more supplies for some reason) and no puffed rice.
I used what I thought amounted to about a quarter of the package and threw the rest away. There is no percentage in keeping old marshmallows after both s'mores season and hot-cocoa season are behind you, and ant season is upon you.
I had corn puffs (we eat stuff like that with granola, not by itself). Two cups.
I had some granola. One cup but then I added another cup, which was possibly 1/2 cup too much.
I had butter. One tablespoon is a quarter of 1/4 cup. It's Lent, so no chocolate chips. Too late, I realized I should have used coconut oil rather than butter.
Melt the marshmallows with the butter. Fold in the cereals and any additions. Press firmly into a greased pan.
If your marshmallows get stringy, they are not warmed up and mixing with the butter. I think you would need to add chocolate chips last, and maybe mini-M&Ms are a better choice, melting-wise.
It was night. My pictures are not stellar. Even this morning in the cold gray light my “bars” are looking a little modern and un-comforting. But they are quite good.
They are a bit crumbly, perhaps due to that ill-advised final addition of a bit too much granola, or because the addition was after the mixture had cooled too much to accept it. There is no going back on that mess once it cools!
But they are on the hard side of chewy, which says “granola bar” to me. And the corn puffs are adding the airiness. If there were more nuts (ahem — note to self: if you don't eat out all the nuts beforehand, you will have some later!) it would be better.
Thanks to Ann Kroeker for the link!
Rachel says
You beat me to the punch. I was just telling my husband I should go back to making our granola bars.
Songbirdtiff says
Yum! I think this sounds really good. I really need to try my hand at making these. I think my hubs would love the addition of marshmallows. 🙂
Amy says
I've got a really good granola bar recipe I will post this week on my blog. We use it a lot and the kid's think it is better than the store bought kind. (imagine that) Your pics are great!
Sharinskishe says
I have always wanted to make my own bars. I will get to it someday. I wanted to jump into my computer and eat yours!I know that when I am ready to make my own, I will have you to follow. I try to learn from others, both the good things and bad things we are challenged with.Thanks so much for your granola bars. I appreciate you post.Sharinskishe
Pippajo says
Thank you. THANK you. THANK YOU. I am not giving up on homemade granola bars! I'm going to try them again next weekend. The ones I made weren't terrible (and I DID have to keep shooing Man-Cub away from them) but they weren't what I was hoping for.I can't thank you enough! I feel so special!
HappyHermit says
WOW this is amazing.
sue says
I forgot about making granola bars. Just happens that Ocean State Job Lot had marshmallows on sale for .65 a pack. Now to hide them. 🙂
4ddintx says
We always made rice krispie treats with peanut butter and karo syrup instead of the marshmallows. Mom figured it added some protein. That might work for a yummy granola bar, too. I will have to work on that. We are gluten free but with my own homemade granola, my kids could have granola bars! Great idea,thanks!Tabitha
Sharinskishe says
I PINCH YOU !!!For St. Patrick's Day today, I am visiting my BlogFriend Blogs and I Pinch You, I don't see a March 17th green post today!!!Come see my Green Day post. And then use Mr. Linky to do your own Holiday Shout Out!Thanks.Sharinskishe http://www.practicallyperfect.com
Leila says
Sharinskishe — Remember? I can't think?Happy St. Paddy's to you, and hopefully I can start thinking again soon 🙂
Ann Kroeker says
I love granola. I like granola bars. And I LOVE how you invent stuff like this! You are my creative-hero!
sunnymama says
These look so yummy! Thanks for the recipe.