Homemade Granola Bars

So the other day i asked Oussama to pick up some snacks to pack in Laith's lunch....and what do you know he brought home trail mix...the biggest problem with this is Laith isn't allowed to bring any kind of nuts to school. I was like what are we going to do with these? So i figured i would just make granola bars and he could have them as a snack. This is how i made my granola bars

So these are the packs of trail mix Oussama brought home they had almonds, coconut, banana chips, cranberries, raisins, yogurt chips, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds

First i toasted granola (quick cook oats) and fine unsweetened coconut in a pan, if you find it easier you can do it in the oven.

Then in a saucepan melt together brown sugar, butter, vanilla and honey

I added flax seeds but if you don't like them you can use wheat germ or rice krispies.

Add in trail mix or whatever you decide you want in your granola bars (i just thought of a pina colada granola bar made with coconut and pineapples pieces...i told u i love coconut...ohh or you can make a date and walnut one for like Eid....or you can add yogurt chips and dried strawberries and then drizzle with chocolate)

So then add in the melted and well mixed mixture.

I used baking dates because i wanted my granola really soft but next time i will probably just use chopped up dates. Remember most of this is optional (except for the granola, flax see or something similar and the melted mixture)

Mix it all together

Pat it in a greased pan or in a pan with parchment paper and then cook it in the over. Let it cool at least 4 hours before cutting so that it can bind together.

Served with milk....mmm...if you don't like dates then you wouldn't LOVE mine and you could easily delete them but i love dates, it kept the granola bars really soft.

Cut and cover.

Written Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
• Trail mix or any mix of dried fruit and nuts (1 1/2 cups of dried fruit and 1 cup of nuts)
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut, loosely packed
• 1/2 cup whole flax seeds
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup date paste

Bake at 325 for about 30 minutes depending on the thickness of the granola.