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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Homemade Granola Bars

I've been looking for a new granola bar recipe for quite a while and these take the cake! My girls were praising me up one side and down the other tonight after I made these! They are so yummy! There are ton's of ways to further healthify these, I've listed a few in parentheses next to the ingredients list. Next time I make them I'm going to sneak in some dried fruits! I adapted my recipe from Here


Homemade Granola Bars

1/2 c. honey or corn syrup {I used 1/4 c. of each} 
1/2 c. brown sugar 
1/2 c. peanut butter (or other nut butter like almond butter)
3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup rice krispy type cereal 
1/4 c. ground flax seed 
1 or 2 T. wheat germ {optional — and I did not add this}
1 c. total of your favorite mix-ins {I used chocolate chips and coconut, but you could also mix and match dried fruit, nuts, seeds, etc.}

In a small sauce pan, mix honey {and/or corn syrup} and brown sugar.
Cook over medium-high heat until sugar is completely dissolved -- stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and quickly stir in peanut butter.
Mix the oats, cereal, flax seed, and optional wheat germ in a large bowl.
Pour honey mixture over dry ingredients -- mix well.
Stir in ch0colate chips, nuts, fruit, and any other "mix-in" you would like to use
Press mixture into a 9" x 13" pan that has been greased or lined with wax paper.
Let cool and "firm up" --  kind of like Rice Krispy Bars
Cut into bars and store in a air-tight container.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip

Just in time to tempt your new year's goal willpower--- I made this for a luncheon  after the baby blessing of some of our very close friends (who happen to also be family) and it was a big hit!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip
1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Graham cracker sticks and animal crackers for dipping

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
Add the sugars and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in chocolate
chips. Serve with graham cracker sticks. Yield: 2 cups.