I read the ingredients in a store bought granola bar one day. They have the nutritional value of cardboard, so I found this recipe and tried it. Needless to say I never bought store bought granola bars again. I use my favorite homemade jams as the filling, they are great for a morning snack or late afternoon treat for the kids coming home from school. I usually make a big batch and freeze them.
ENERGY BARS
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
1/4 cup vegetable oil (becel, crisco, etc.)
FILLING
1 cup jam, your choice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1. Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a 13X9 inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray.
2. To prepare filling, combine jam, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Mix well. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and allspice. Mix well. Add melted margarine and oil, tossing with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Set aside 1 cup of the mixture. Firmly press remaining crumb mixture into the prepared pan.
4. Spread filling over crumb mixture in pan, Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake until topping is golden, about 20 - 25 minutes. Place on a wire rack and cool completely. Slice into 32 bars.
(MAKES 32 BARS)
per serving: 113 calories, 19g carbohydrates, 1g protein, 4g fat, 0mg cholesterol
