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Have you ever had a Larabar? We are always looking for a good and quick energy/granola bar that is high on fiber and low on sugar. The three ingredients in the Larabar we enjoyed the other day were: dates, cherries, almonds. Surely, I don't need to pay $2 a bar for that? I got a-brewing in the kitchen, and came up with the following. It has a few more ingredients, but does the trick in providing high energy in a little bar. Individually wrapped in a basket on the kitchen island, these little pick-me-uppers are ready to report for duty at a moment's notice. Everyone loves them. Except Number 2, who has real issues with all dried fruit and berries. Hmm. With arms waving in the air he passionately asked me to "ig-noh the cwanbe-wies in the constructions." His royal highness got chocolate chip ones instead.
Energy Bars No. 2 Doesn't Like
- 2 c. pitted dates
- 1 c. dried cranberries
- 1/2 c. raisins
- 1 1/2 c. water
- 2/3 c. butter
- 4 1/2 c. oats
- 1/2 c. whole wheat
- 1/2 c. almond meal
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 c. honey
- 1 c. sliced almonds
- 1 tsp. flax seeds
- 1 tsp. flax meal
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Heat oven to 325F. Combine dates, cranberries, raisins and water in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Simmer and mash with a potato masher or fork until thick. Stir in butter, until melted. Add honey and vanilla. Remove from heat. In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients. Add mixture from saucepan to dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Lightly spray a 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray. Press mixture firmly and evenly into pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, and press firmly again. Let cool. Cut into bars and wrap to store.
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