After more than 2 years of being a SAHM I find myself in need of more “adult” talk. Hubby’s working all day so I reached out to some wonderful moms in the community for play dates and “adult” talk.
We went out a couple of times. I’m having such a great time. I hope there will be many more play dates in the future.
Sometimes we decide to spend a couple of hours at the park and we have to pack a snack.
Some bring a piece of fruit, some biscuits, some a couple of sandwiches. And there she is, the mom that brings cookies! I’m that mom! (wasn’t that hard to guess, was it?) I mean, I already confessed about Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chocolate Almond Cookies.
Yesterday we were planning to meet again.
So I get up bright and early, took some oats, fruit and nuts out of the cupboard and decided to make some granola bars.
Granola bars are so versatile. You can add whatever fruit/nuts/seeds you have handy.
Mine had oats, golden raisins, cranberries, apricots, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and coconut.
The hardest part, when making granola bars, is to wait for them to completely cool before cutting them.
After keeping the pan a couple of hours in the fridge I cut them into bars, pack them in treat bags and had my fingers crossed the other moms would still tell me when a play date is scheduled.
Now you’d think we give each other a big hug, they forgive me for bringing the cookies and live happily ever after.
Wish I could tell you so. But the moment I got out of the house it started to rain. No play date. No big hugs.
I still wonder if I had made cookies it had rained. That question will be on my mind for quite a while.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup walnuts
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 3/4 cup cranberries
- 3/4 cup chopped apricots
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 cup ground walnuts
- 3/4 cup butter
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1 cup raw sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Line a 11X7 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a bowl mix the oats, cinnamon, salt, fruit, seeds, walnuts and coconut flakes.
- In a sauce pan add the butter and honey. Heat gently until the butter has melted.
- Add the sugar keeping the pan over the lowest flame your stove has. Stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, and continue to boil for another minute or two constantly stirring the mixture until it has formed a smooth caramel sauce.
- Pour over the dry ingredients, mix with a wooden spoon and scoop it into the prepared pan.
- With the back of the spoon or of a measuring cup press down the mixture.
- Bake for 15 minutes until the edges begin to brown.
- Take it out of the oven, let it cool slightly and then chill in the fridge for a couple of hours.
- When completely cooled cut into bars.
Notes
The bars turned out a little too sweet for my sweet tooth. I'd replace 3/4 cup fruit with 3/4 cup nuts or seeds. Recipe slightly adapted from Cookies and Bars
Sending love your way,
Roxana
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
You knew you’d have me over here right away with the word caramel, didn’t you! Those look delicious. I love everything you chose (especially the apricots) and must make these as soon as possible for Dudette. Ok, not really for her; for me. But maybe she can have one. Maybe.
They came out so pretty
I only add cranberries to mine and sweeten with honey and agave. Sunflower seeds and almonds are a good addition to granola bars. I’ll try adding pumpkin seeds to mine, thanks for the inspiration 
These turned out so pretty! They look so much better than the grocery store kind
I love the coconut in them, yum!!
These look so perfect and professional! Love the bars, and caramel is my favorite thing with granola, it even beats chocolate for me
What a lovely thing to make for a playdate! You are so sweet to get up early and do that. Those look super delicious. I love how you wrapped them to be so beautiful. Have a wonderful day! <3
granola bars look delicious! anything homemade is better than the store bought ones. i’m sorry the play date was canceled! since i’m around my middle school students all day, i need adult talk too, hahah, so i know what u mean!
I know what you mean about needing more adult time! I love these granola bars, already tweeted them. And buzzed them!
I love granola bars! Add the caramel and I am one happy foodie
These look just like you bought them but I bet they taste way better. Have fun with your play group buds
These are gorgeous. I don’t usually get drawn to a granola bar but these are so fabulous. I have done the sahm for 23 years and let me tell you the secret to sanity is meeting up with girlfriends.
These look perfect! I love a good granola bar, they’re one of my favorite treats
I know what you mean about needed adult talk – some days I think I might go crazy!
I have granola bars on hand all of the time. I never want to be stuck starving with no food. I should try to make my own since I eat so many. I love that you wrapped these up as gifts. So thoughtful!
I love granola bars! I love throwing in whatever strikes my fancy
These bars look delicious! Love that they have sesame seeds.. yum! So sorry the play date didn’t happen! I know what you mean about needed adult talk!!! Nice post 
These sound amazing Roxana! Caramel in a granola bar would be divine
! I love all of the goodies you have packed into these as well, the more nuts and fruit the better! Hope you are having a wonderful week 
!
You won me over with caramel!!! And all those seeds and dried fruit make these big winners!!!
Absolutely gorgeous, Roxana! Don’t worry, many more sunny days will come to let you share so much love that you put into these delicious bars, and healthy too!! And your photos are beyond words!
Roxana, those are so cute! Love it!
my type of food, they look absolutely delicious, and I love that use use honey.
What a super creative recipe, Roxana! These granola bars look so delicious and simple, and they’d definitely make a great gift. Thanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend.
wish I was there to devour them Roxana- they look delightful and yes hope there are many more play-dates and all the love you shower on the goodies are enjoyed by your friends !
Those look SO good. I really like all of the great things you added to those bars.
PS…I took photos of my first batch of sugar cookie bars, but the batter was awfully crumbly. The next version was better, but I still debated myself as they rose unevenly…but the family gave them their approval. So I know that feeling of whether to post or not post!
I agree, granola bars are so fun and versatile! Your granola bars look so wonderful, especially with the addition of caramel, YUM!! Hugs, Terra
I’d have loved the cookies and the granola bars! Caramel is such a weakness of mine and these look fantastic
Roxanna….these look just awesome! I’d make a play date with you and promise a big hug if you bring me these! Actually, I had the opportunity in the past to buy some outrageously good granola bars at a farm market that I can no longer get to. I was thinking of looking them up online. But these look just as theirs looked….so I absolutely can’t wait to make them! Hope you have more fun play dates booked in the future! : )
with caramel, yummy!! playdates rock, sorry about the rain.
These are loaded with all kinds of goodness! I love your cute little packages.
Looks yummy! I need to make healthy granola bars soon as my kids bring store-bought ones to school. It’s about time to change… I love your closer shot. These bars are beautiful and tasty!
I’ve made about a million types of granola bars so far, but never caramel granola bars. That is downright brilliant! They look and sound so amazing, I’ve just got to try that.
Oh how I wish we are closer:))Those bars look heavenly Roxy!
Beautiful photos as always of course and recipe is must try!
Thank you for sharing my friend and have a lovely evening
Thanks for a healthy treat. Granola is a great breakfast option. I am looking at it on a different point of view now, ever since i saw how you made it into a fancy treat. These bars are awesome!
Love how packed these granola bars are with goodness. I’m sure you must be the envy of all the playgroup mom’s, and I’m also sure they appreciate you bringing snacks for everyone. Maybe an indoor playdate next time if it rains? Then you can share your deliciousness.
Love these bars dear.
WOW. These look amazing!!! Pinning it and making this weekend!
I’m sure these would have been a big hit with the group. They look delicious!
I love a good granola bar. It’s a great way to get all those healthy fats and good grains in.
Hi, I just made your caramel granola bars, it’s in the oven being bake right now. I didn’t have all ing. added chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. It smells really good. Can’t wait to eat them. Thank you so much for sharing all your yummy, delicious recipes. Love your site.
Maria
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