Granola Bars

Ohhh yeaaah I made granola bars today!!

Feeling like a cool kid.

What have you done today?

(that sounded confrontational…it was really just curious…let’s not fight)

I was pretty much expecting to end up with bricks on my first shot at granola bars.

Instead I got chewy deliciousness that even my breakfast-hater of a boyfriend (horror of horrors) would eat for breakfast UNPROMPTED!

Great success!

No further ado…I ramble far to much…let’s let the food speak for itself.

Today’s post brought to you by: bits.

Granola bits:

Hmm..granola bits as still life?

(I threw a handful of the granola bits on a cutting board so you could see…don’t I look clever and artsy? What does this photo say to you?)

Oh don’t worry…chocolate made an appearance at this bits bash

Duh.

As great as they are…bits, alone, do not a granola bar make.

Bring on the pumpkin (my last can!)

Also some “autumn spices,” if you will…because it IS still autumn.

And I WILL put winter off as long as possible.

Honey holds it together.

Throw in the oats (not a bit…actually a lot) and you’ve got yourself some delicious granola goop!

Pressed into a pan as tightly as possible then baked for a BIT (man this word is everywhere)…

Smile!

You’ve got granola bars and the sun came out today.

Life. Is. Good.

Enjoy!

❤ Ellen

Pumpkin Granola Bars

Recipe adapted from a million different recipes…I kind of made this up

1/2 cup chocolate (I chopped up some old Hershey’s kisses…still workin my way through them)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup cashews (chopped)

1/2 cup almonds (slivered or at least chopped)

1/3 cup pumpkin

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon oil

1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ginger

2/3 cup honey

2 c oats

1.  Mix your bits (chocolate through almonds) in a bowl and set them aside.  The bits are flexible. You can use whatever you have on hand/prefer.  Different nuts? M&Ms? Craisins?  Coconut? Go for it.  Very flexible.

2. Combine the pumpkin, vanilla, oil and spices in a large bowl.

3. Stir in the honey then add the oats and bits

4. Press press press the mixture into a square pan as tightly as you can.  I probably didn’t press enough…they aren’t as tightly packed as I would like and fall apart a little bit

5.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes (depending on the size of your pan) or until the edges turn golden brown

6.  Let cool completely before attempting to cut them. Cut into squares or bars or whatever shape you like and enjoy!