I love granola bars. I find them addictive. Actually I love any cereal bar, but always find those packaged ones tooooo sweet. So, when I started making granola bars of which is different from muesli bars, I told myself, no more buying of any sort. Granola bars are baked and eggs are added to help bind it. Ah-ha. When it could be bound with eggs, that means the sugar can be reduced, but not too much, still need the "glue". Muesli bars are bound together with a sugar syrup cooked until soft ball stage, which is why they are sooooooooooooooo sweet. All sugar no egg. Not enough sugar all will come loose. And I'll definitely choose granola over muesli anytime anyday. Being baked with some butter, it is the clear winner for me, LOL.
These were very good, but my 2nd batch isn't that good. The difference was I used BWY's cranberries of which nowadays look huge with open "pores". It didn't make this as good as the one from Ocean Spray. the fragrance is lacking.
Pepita and Cranberry Granola Bars
Recipe source: Wendyywy
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup pepita / pumpkin seeds
1 cup cranberries
½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
65gm butter
80gm sugar
40gm honey
½ tsp salt
1 small egg (45gm with shell on)
1. Lightly toast coconut flakes on a pan over the stove. (don't forget to toss it all the time to prevent it from burning)
2. Lightly toast pepita in the same pan until they look puffed up.
3. Combine oats, pepita, coconut and cranberries together.
4. Place butter, sugar honey and salt in a pan. Cook on medium heat until the sugar is melted. Pour this over (3)
5. When mixture has turned warm, mix in the egg.
6. Preheat the oven at 160(fan)/180C and fully line an 8 inch square pan with overlaps.
7. Press mixture into pan and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Let the granola cool down totally.
9. Lift granola up from pan (with paper underneath). Cut into preferred sizes.
*If you find it too soft to cut, throw it into the fridge for 30 minutes, it'll be much easier, but this recipe is firm enough to be cut w/o chilling.
I made a double batch and packed them up as gifts for Christmas. Those who received these, I hope you liked them. Healthy and sinful at the same time, LOL.
check out my giveaway at www.rookieqookie.com
ReplyDeleteWow! Like store bought! I want a bite!
ReplyDeleteWendy ,
ReplyDeleteCranberries u using is dried one is it?I got a pack of fresh cranberries , any idea how to use it?
Yvonne Yeo
so much like the store bought; should I say, so much better than those from the manufacturer. Homemade still the best!
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of making this but your pix make them look so tempting to try knowing how much my husband will love this. I'm a newbie to all these so excuse some silly questions here:
ReplyDelete1. Are coconut flakes grated coconuts?
2. (And this one is really silly) From step 1 to step 2, do you mix the seeds together with the coconut?
3. Step 6: do you mean 160 or 180C?
Thanks for sharing, Wendy.
Amazing! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI just found and loved your blog!
Visit me at: my-greek-cooking.blogspot.com
rookie,
ReplyDeletethanks for informing
Wen,
haha, sure, enjoy!
Yvonne,
Mine is dried. Refer to Elin's blog (google for elinluv). She cooks/bakes a lot with fresh ones.
Mel,
less sweet lor
EVC,
1. No, they are also known as angel flakes. You can get them labeled either as angel flakes or sweetened coconut flakes. It's moister than dessicated coconut and looks coarser too.
2. No. They both have different toasting times. Toast them separately.
3. 160 is with fan on (convection), 180 is w/o(conventional), depending on your oven.
Elpiniki,
thanks for dropping by
Love the photos & also love these granola bars. I was craving with the nut bars when I was pregnant with my 2nd one & totally agree with you about the commercial muesli bars which are too sweet for our standard but western people love them. They can eat very sweet things & normally quite generous with the use of sugar when come to making dessert.
ReplyDeletedelicious!!!
ReplyDeletei was actually looking for muesli this afternoon in jusco but ended up never buying them cos i thought i still hv flaxseeds and sunflower seeds in my house, just finish eating them first. But i never know that granola bars have eggs in them. YOur cookies galore very helpful..
ReplyDeleteWow, an array of bars to choose! This has got to be my favorite, since there's oats. The chewy texture is some how very satisfying.��
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy..thanks for sharing wonderful recipe. Really like to visit here. Keep it up good work.
ReplyDeleteWow, I've been missing from blogsphere for since New Year day and you've got granola bars from your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI seldom have granola bars because those from supermarkets are way too sweet for my liking. I like the idea of reduced sugar :)
Thank you for sharing your recipe. May I know where did you buy the angel flakes.
ReplyDeleteSharon
Jessie,
ReplyDeleteoh yes, for some of their cakes I cut 60% sugar, ahaha.
small kucing,
u left out healthy, kakaka
lena,
hmm..that makes them different from muesli.
Bee,
the first and last bars has oats, but this is better, in my personal opinion
Sue,
Thanks
Yvonne,
Those are very sweet ler.. very
Sharon,
If you buy them off the shelves at upmarket supermarkets, they come in small packs costing about RM20, as big as choc chip packs. Depending on brand, some label as sweetened coconut flakes.
You can also get them generic, at bakery supply stores. Check out their fridge, it's in there.
Thanks for your prompt reply. I found the angel flakes in BWY labelled as Hawaiian coconut flakes in their fridge. Wendy, you are a very generous lady always so willing to share. God bless n keep up your good work.
ReplyDeleteSharon