Saturday, August 15, 2009

Ground Balls and Granola

My husband had his year end softball tournament today. He plays in a league called Capital Alumnae Network (CAN). CAN is a sports league in the DC area that has teams organized by colleges with the players comprised of alumnae from those schools. He plays for his Alma Mater, Auburn. They had a day filled with several games and I wanted to make a healthy snack for the team to enjoy between games. I thought granola bars were the perfect treat and knew they would keep well in the extreme heat for an extended period of time. Everyone enjoyed them and I thought they were super easy to make and aesthetically pleasing as well. Check out one of the action shots I captured of Forrest today.

Homemade Granola Bars
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
  • 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries
Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes,

stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Toast the wheat germ in a dry skillet over a medium flame. Transfer the oatmeal mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the toasted wheat germ.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.

Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the apricots and cranberries and stir well.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Using a spatula sprayed with cooking spray and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into bars.

Serve at room temperature.

7 comments:

Gabriela said...

These look downright beautiful! I've no doubt they were as delicious as they are pretty. I hope you are planning on bringing some into the office and that you make your way over to room E119!

Kerstin said...

I'm impressed you made your own granola bars, they look great!

Jennifer said...

These look so delightful! What a great energy-snack to bring during all the softball fun!! :)

lisaiscooking said...

These look great! I saw Ina making them the other day, and now that I see them again I have to try them.

Me and My Pink Mixer said...

These look yummy! They would be a great snack to take to work with me - think I will give them a try. Thanks for a new recipe!

Spryte said...

Those look so good!!

Woody said...

I am so sad the season is over!

The team was very thankful for all the snacks you have sent with me all season.