My family loves a certain store-bought organic chocolate coconut granola bar, but with only 5 in one box (and 6 of us in the family) and the cost of those bars being a bit pricey (even on sale), I need to find an alternative. While the chewy store-bought granola bars taste wonderful and are portable, I wanted to test out some granola bar recipes that combine the best of both worlds: flavor and price. Okay, maybe 3 things: flavor, price AND healthy (somewhat). I've already tried (and tweaked) this recipe and this one. Both were okay but a bit too sweet.
I recently discovered this one and substituted a few things to make them with coconut and chocolate. Still testing it out. I think I might change the white whole wheat flour to brown rice flour and maybe the chocolate would be chunked instead of chips. More coconut and ALL molasses vs. molasses & honey? Haven't done the math to see if the price is better (I think it must be!), but my children snarfed these down very quickly. The bars are not as chewy as the store-bought variety, but very yummy. My youngest (the ham that he is) kept oohing and aahing with each bite.
Coconut Chocolate Granola Bars - Test #1
2 cups oats (not quick cooking)
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9x13" glass baking pan with parchment. In large bowl, mix together oats to salt. In small bowl, whisk together egg to vanilla. Pour wet stuff into dry stuff. Mix with hands to coat evenly. Press into pan. Bake about 15-25 min or until edges get slightly browned. Let cool a few minutes. Cut apart with knife or pizza cutter (I used one of those bread dough cutters). Don't take out of pan yet. Let cool completely. Then remove from pan. Try to store them in a air-tight container if you can get them there!
Oh, and remember the yarn giveaway! Enter if you like to knit or crochet.
Only five in a box? How odd { ha, ha }! It really does seem like an odd number to market though.
I will give this a try today; with cooler weather here my guy's are eating even more!
I am working on a pumpkin -ginger- nut muffin recipe that still needs a little help. The batch I prepared yesterday is just too sweet for me, although the guy's inhaled them [gasp!].
Posted by: Tracey | October 06, 2011 at 06:24 AM
Thank you for sharing this....We're doing a food challenge for the month and I agree, those store-bought boxes add up (the Quaker ones -- are what my brood likes). I had a recipe for granola bars in one of my many cookbooks. Do you think I can remember which one?
Posted by: Jodi | October 06, 2011 at 06:50 AM
Looks good! Do you think that coconut oil is a must? Could another oil be substituted? Just wondering.
Posted by: swanski | October 06, 2011 at 07:23 AM
Swanski - yes, the original recipe called for canola oil but I would assume that any oil (mainly) would work. I just wanted to add coconut oil because of the coconut idea.
Jodi - if you find the recipe, let me know.
Tracey - I find as I get older, I like sweet things not as sweet. My kids still inhale things like your guys. The muffins sound good!
Posted by: Ellen | October 06, 2011 at 07:54 AM
I think I may try these today...home with a sick one. Glad for Swanski's comment....I think I may use canola oil for lack of coconut. Funny, I just passed up buying granola bars at the store because of no great sales or coupons. Hope BS was good last night..I missed it!
Posted by: Kristen | October 06, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Oh...how yummy!! I'm glad you mentioned trying it with brown rice flour. That way, I can eat it. Think I'll try it today and ready some for company to snack on. I wonder if this are freezable/we can try! Thanks Ellen and Hugs...
Posted by: MaryBeth | October 06, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Oh my! That looks heavenly!
Posted by: Lydia | October 06, 2011 at 10:29 AM
thank you for sharing these! this looks like something we could get used to eating...especially the combo of coconut oil and chocolate...one of my kids' favorites.
Posted by: amanda {the habit of being} | October 06, 2011 at 03:39 PM
MaryBeth, tell me how they fare with the brown rice flour. I'm sure they'd freeze well.
Posted by: Ellen | October 06, 2011 at 06:31 PM
This sounds like a yummy recipe. Once my new oven is in, I will have to try it! Jacinta
Posted by: embracingitall | October 07, 2011 at 07:13 AM