Care-Package Worthy Granola Bars

First off, how pretty are granola bars wrapped in parchment paper and twine? It’s not necessary. It’s not really practical, either, because, what? The center of the granola bar is the only part worth protecting? However … just the sight of that wrap makes me happy.

So I was sitting with my friend, Cindy, at Starbucks awhile back, and she mentioned that she had just made and sent a care package of these granola bars to her son in the military, at his request. I thought, If granola bars are THE thing your son wants in his care package, then I have to have that recipe.”

I said that to her. Cindy laughed and promised to give it to me. She said, “I’ve never been a big fan of granola bars because they always seemed a bit like eating cardboard with a few chocolate chips thrown in. But after eating one of these, I changed my mind.”

She added that her military son is an extremely picky eater, so when he took a batch with him and asked for three more batches, she knew she had a winner.

Any picky eaters at your house? Have a lot of oatmeal to use up? Let me know if you try these!

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Care-Package-Worthy Granola Bars

When my friend, Cindy, mentioned that she had just made and sent a batch of granola bars to her son in the military, I thought, "If these granola bars are THE thing her son wants in a care package, I have to have that recipe." Here's Cindy's recipe exactly as she gave it to me. I tend to double the spices, but that's just me. 🙂 My favorite add-in is butterscotch chips.

Course: Snack

Keyword: bars, granola, Oatmeal

Author: Cindy Sheridan

Ingredients

• 2 cups quick oats (you can slightly pulverize regular oats to reach this consistency)
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 TBSP brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 TBSP honey
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 TBSP oil

Optional Add-Ins

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (or butterscotch, vanilla or peanut butter)
• 1/2 cup raisins or craisins
• 1/2 cup nuts
• 1/4 cup peanut butter

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix dry ingredients and make a well in the center.

3. Add wet ingredients and pour in well. Mix to blend.

4. Add any optional ingredients and stir to combine.

5. Pour into greased pan: 11 x 7 for thicker bars; 9 x 13 for thinner bars. Press batter down well to make bars firm. Bake 20 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before scoring and cutting bars. Cool before removing. Enjoy!