Kashi Granola Bars

I just found a yummy granola bar recipe - haphazardly - while messing around online. I threw it together quickly with the help of one small three year old...and when I say "with the help of...", I mean I lured him away from niggling at his sibling and told him he could watch me get all creative rarity around here.

It worked.

On the stopping-the-bickering front as well as the healthy granola bar front.

Shockingly, I omitted the brown sugar, lessened the honey, and substituted in a little applesauce. And, Santa brought us a plethora of Kashi GoLean (not complaining) so this seemed perfect.

Kashi GoLean Granola Snack Bars

• 3 cups Kashi GoLean cereal
• 1 cup whole rolled oats
• (1/4 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut - I added this simply for a boost in protein)
• 1/2 cup craisins
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 cup almonds
• 3/4 cup honey (go easy)
• (1/4 cup brown sugar)
• 3/4 cup peanut butter (we buy the "straight up" peanuts-only kind and it worked great)
• 1 tsp vanilla

Line a 9x13 inch sheet with either a silicone sheet, tin foil, or parchment paper.

Mix oats, cereal, craisins, raisins, and almonds in a large bowl.

In a saucepan, mix honey (and brown sugar). Bring to a boil while stirring. Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir to blend well. If you sub applesauce, this would be the time to add it.

Pour over cereal/oat mixture and stir well. Press mixture firmly (!) into pan. Let cool and cut into bars. Store in air-tight container. Freezes well, if securely wrapped.

Try not to enjoy too much (or allow little fingers to indulge too much) or you won't be able to cover the pan. Just speaking from first hand experience, ah hem.

I think flax meal would be great in this as well of course, as other types of nuts or dried fruit. Almond butter would likely be incredible too...but we're working through our peanut stuff before getting to the almond goodness.

Perhaps before signing off, I should re-address the "Santa gave us a plethora of Kashi" comment above. Yes, we are practical gift giving people at Christmas. Yes, cereal really is bare bones practicality. However, when small boys receive their very own box of cereal it's like gold. A no sharing gift is always a hit around here. Another detail which you may or may not have picked up on is that we are adopting. Yep, that's right. From Ethiopia. And, as you may or may not also know, Ethiopia is not one of the most wealthy countries. So, while the materialism of Christmas could easily take over we have tried not to allow such happenings in our home. Plus, we're just practical people. Oh, don't get me wrong there was plenty of Lego and other fun to go around this year. Santa did not disappoint.

But man, would you wet your pants if I told you what Ben and I gifted each other. That's a story for another day.

For today, enjoy a batch of Kashi Granola Bars.