Homemade Granola Bars

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Barefoot to Go

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (127)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(127)

Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
12 to 16 bars

Times:

Prep: 25 min
Inactive Prep: 3 hr 0 min
Cook: 40 min
Total:: 4 hr 5 min

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Ingredients

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
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 chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Homemade Granola Bars
Kim Winnipeg, MB 02-01-2010
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A new family favorite
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Thanks to all of you wonderful people for your tips and subsitutions. I have made this every week. Sometimes I cut into bars... and sometimes the kids crumble it for the topping on yogurt. I never bake it for the full 25-30 minutes. 15 minutes seems to be enough. Read more
recipe Homemade Granola Bars
Cindy Phoenix, AZ 01-28-2010
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My new favorite dessert
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is SO YUMMY I really view it as a dessert. I wish I had discovered this when my kids were young as it truly is a... billion times better than any commercial granola bar. I am anxious to play around with adding peanut butter like others have suggested and cutting down a bit on the sugar and butter content to make it a bit lighter and/or adding protein powder. Thankx InaRead more
recipe Homemade Granola Bars
Vickie The Woodlands, TX 01-27-2010
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Addictive!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have made this recipe twice and we absolutely love it. The second time I made it, I added peanut butter (about 1/4 cup) to... the brown sugar mixture. The taste was wonderful. I love peanut butter in anything and this was over the top delicious. I did let the oatmeal and coconut bake without stirring and it seemed to be crunchier. Might just be my oven but that's how I'll do it again in the future. This recipe is an absolute winner no matter what time of day you choose to eat it. Ina always comes up with the best recipes!Read more
recipe Homemade Granola Bars
Marissa Washington, DC 01-25-2010
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Great recipe, made a few alterations!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I love this recipe, but I try to eliminate sugar where I can. Even though this is one of Ina's lighter recipes, I still... wanted to make it a little healthier. I used brown rice sugar, which made the bars chewier (which I liked more) and eliminated the butter and coconut. Good stuff! Here's my recipe: http://massagebymarissa.blogspot.com/2010/01/healthy-hearty-granola-bars.html Read more
recipe Homemade Granola Bars
Jennifer Asheboro, NC 01-24-2010
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healthy, easy, yum
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These granola bars are AWESOME! My husband and I take granola bars everywhere, but I was tired of buying them at the store... and wanted to make my own. Plus, I like to know what exactly is in my food. I tried these granola bars and we loved them! Reading other comments was helpful (thanks!)..I did vary the dried fruits a little, but other than that stuck to the recipe. I read one post that said the wheat germ didn't work, but it was fine for us. Someone else had said the coconut burned too easily...just keep an eye on it while toasting (I checked it and stirred it every 3 minutes), and it was fine. My husband doesn't really care much for coconut, but he couldn't even tell it was in there. Can't wait to make them again!Read more
recipe Homemade Granola Bars
Kimberly Shreve, OH 01-24-2010
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What a hit!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made these twice in 3 days! First round went to work and didn't last long! The second batch I made with pecans & added... some dried apple along with the three original dried fruits. Since we like them a bit thinner, I spread out on a parchment lined cookie sheet then formed and patted it into a dense rectangle. Didn't have any trouble keeping them in bar type chunks. I prefer to break them up in various shapes & sizes, but absolutely waited the entire 3 hours ... overnight even! Also, I cut back on the honey, used brown sugar Splenda and toasted MILLED flax seed right along with the oat mixture instead, which replaced the wheat germ. I had no problems with the substitutions! They are now considered a regular in our cookie jar!!Read more