Tempt Yourself- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars!

Okay, these are a home run! I had some good feedback on the last granola bars I posted. Luckily, these new ones are EASIER and you will have more of the ingredients on hand compared to the last ones I posted! These are healthy, and SO yummy :) I found this recipe on one of the blogs I follow called Two Peas and Their Pod. Can't take any credit, but wish I could! Here we go!

If you aren't in love with these yet, the pictures only get MORE tempting!!

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 

*If you don't have this, mix cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger together*
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips  (I only used 1/2 cup and used dark chocolate)

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350.

In one bowl, mix together the oats, spices, and salt.

In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla. Stir until smooth.

Pour over the oats and fold together until all oats are "wet."

Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour into a greased 8X8 baking dish and pack it down tight!

Bake for about 30-35 minutes, until edges get golden brown:

Allow to cool for about half an hour, or stick in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes, then cut into sqaures/bars/whatever you like!

We have already eaten 2 of these. They won't last long. You may want to double the recipe :)

ENJOY!!

Homemade Peanut Butter Snack Bars

I made these AWESOME little treats last week for Nick when he was going to Ohio for a golf tournament. They were "pick me ups" for when the guys got hungry while on the course! He loved them! I shared them with a friend and of course my Mom and there was a resounding approval of them. This weekend, Nick asked for them again to take to work as a snack! So, since I got to make them again, I chose to post them! These are AWESOME. Lots of options, but here's the basics:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup organic peanut butter (only ingredients should be peanuts and salt)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar 
• 2 T Maple Syrup
• 1 T Canola Oil
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups dry rolled oats
• 2 cups brown rice cereal ( I used some Kashi cereal)
• 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ (used this the first time, not the second)
• 1/2 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts (used this the first time, but Nick ate them all, couldn't use them the second time!)
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried figs, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt

(Options, options, options: Try almonds instead of peanuts. Sub ANY dried fruit for the apricots and figs such as raisins, craisins, cherries, apples, dates etc. ANYTHING will work!)

Directions:

1. Combine oats, cereal, wheat germ, peanuts, dried fruit, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

 

 

 

2. Heat a small sauce pan over medium heat. Melt peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, oil, and syrup together. Add cinnamon. Once runny and smooth, pour into dry mixutre. Mix well.

 

 

3. Pour mixture into a WELL GREASED 9X13 pan. Grab a piece of foil, wax paper, or parchment paper and push mixture into a firm flat layer in pan. Pop in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, then cut into squares or bars!

 

 

*I individually wrap mine and then keep them in the refrigerator. They are pretty fragile, so the cooler they are, the better they hold together**

 

 

I did bars the first time, this time was squares!!

ENJOY :)