A Monday Recipe: Shannon's Granola Bars

Ok, so these started out as Shannon's Granola Bars, but I've altered them a bit. I'm still on the search for a bar with less oil and sugar (of any kind), but these are good enough for me to send in the kids lunches boxes.  *I* can't eat them, though.

Don't be freaked out by the number of ingredients. I think all granola and granola bar recipes look like this. Scary! Do all of the dry stuff first, put it away, then do all the rest. It's all easy clean up. And, if you use the same measure for oil and honey, do the oil first, so the honey will slide ride out.  These are not vegan with honey (or butterscotch chips), but you can sub maple syrup. There isn't so much of either that it would change the flavor much.

Preheat oven to 325*

3c rolled oats
1/4c flax meal
1/4c oat bran
1/2c whole wheat flour
3/4t baking soda
1/4t cardamom
1/4t cinnamon
1/4c chocolate peanut butter (Peanut butter & co, or  Justin's)
1/4c canola oil
1t vanilla
1/2c honey
1/2c unsweetened applesauce
1/4c finely chopped cashews
1/2c chocolate chips
1/4c butterscotch morsels (optional).

(these are mostly Shannon's instructions...the pressing down tip is especially helpful, as is the waiting until cool before removing from the pan)


In a large mixing bowl combine oats, flour, baking soda, and any spices you want to use.

In a separate bowl, combine chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, oil, and honey.

Pour wet mix into dry and stir to combine. Stir in remaining ingredients

Spray a pan with cooking spray and press VERY firmly into the pan. I used an 11x7 inch pan.

Bake at 325 for 18-20 minutes until top is turning golden brown.

Remove from oven and firmly press down bars again with a spatula or similar, and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.

Cut into bars--they are hard to cut if you allow it to completely cool. I cut into 24 squares...the bars are very thick.

Allow to finish cooling completely before removing from pan.

Enjoy!!

I entered this recipe on MyFitnessPal (which I hate...big pita) and here's the nutrition facts I got for 24 squares.
Calories 156
Carbs     21
Fat           8
Protein     3
Fiber        2
Calcium   1