Granola Bars Two Ways: Chewy and Crunchy

I woke up today and decided I would make granola bars. Had I ever made them? Nope. Did that stop me? Not at all. I was on a mission to make some wholesome, vitamin-packed bars. Now, I didn't intend to make two batches, but having learned a few things my first go-around (the crunchy), I wanted to see if I could improve my recipe and make a tastier batch. I chose to include both recipes because I think they offer different things. Those who like their bars less sweet would likely prefer the crunchy over the chewy. Those who are averse to crunch would be more apt to select the chewy (makes sense, doesn't it?).

The first batch listed is the one I made second, the chewy. My mix-ins included pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds (coarsely crushed), sunflower seeds, dried apples, and cranberries.

Prior to that batch I made one that was much drier, and consequently crunchier (and aptly named "The Crunchy"). This mix was also slightly less sweet, but the cranberries throughout the mix punctuate each bite with a tart sweetness that makes up for the use of less sweetener. In addition to the cranberries I added a bit of pumpkin seeds and sliced almonds for some healthy fats (and to add to the crunch-factor).

Like most of my recipes, and like most recipes for granola bars, the mix-ins are up to the creator. Whatever nuts or dried fruits you happen to have on hand (and enjoy, of course), would work with the basic mix. Think about the options; walnuts, dates, and coconut, or maybe macadamias, raisins, and apricots... now you know why I had to make two batches.

The Stuff:

• 8" by 8" baking dish (you can use a pan, but my times are based on using a glass baking dish that was too large at 8" by 11"... it's still possible to form the granola into a rectangle that is smaller than the dish size, but I estimate that this recipe would fit perfectly in an 8 by 8 dish or slightly smaller)
• parchment paper
• small saucepan
• medium mixing bowl

The Chewy

The Edibles (for the Chewy):

• 1 T. butter
• 1 & 1/2 T. honey
• 1 T. oil
• 1/4 c. water
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 T. milled flax seed, divided
• 4 packets Truvia (the equivalent of 8 T. sugar)
• 1/2 c. oats
• 1/4 c. oat bran
• 2 T. protein powder
• 1 T. wheat germ
• 1/2 c. Kashi Good Friends cereal, coarsely crushed
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 c. sliced almonds
• 1/8 c. pumpkin seeds
• 1/8 c. sunflower seeds
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries
• 1/4 c. dried apple, chopped into sunflower seed sized pieces

The Making:

1. Preheat oven to 325. Place parchment paper into baking dish.
2. Place first 5 ingredients, 1 tablespoon milled flax seed, and 2 packets Truvia in a small saucepan. Set aside.
3. Combine remaining ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, including the remaining 1 T. flax seed and 2 packets Truvia. Stir until ingredients are mixed.
4. Heat saucepan over medium low for 2 - 3 minutes, or until it begins to boil. Stir vigorously. Allow the liquid to boil for 1 minute; remove from heat and allow it to cool for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Create a well in the dry ingredients. Carefully pour the liquid mixture into the well and stir with a fork. The mixture will be sticky. Use your fingers to make sure the ingredients are fully combined.
6. Place granola mixture on the prepared pan. Press the mixture down firmly, ensuring that the bars will be equally thick throughout the pan.
7. Cook at 325 for 15 minutes. Turn the temperature down to 300 and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the bars are slightly browned.
8. Remove the dish from the oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Cut the rectangle into 8 equally sized bars, but do not remove from the pan. Allow the bars to cool an additional 30 minutes (you've given them some time to rest and really grip together), after which you may enjoy to your heart's content!

The Crunchy

The Edibles (for the Crunchy):

• 12 g. (slightly less than 1 T.) butter
• 1 T. honey
• 1/2 T. oil
• 2 T. Sobe Yumberry Lifewater (or another low-calorie juice like liquid)
• 3 packets Truvia (the equivalent of 6 T. sugar)
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 T. water
• 3/4 c. oats
• 1/4 c. oat bran
• 2 T. protein powder
• 1 2/3 T. wheat germ
• 1 & 1/2 T. milled flax seed
• 1/2 c. Kashi Good Friends cereal, coarsely crushed
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/8 c. sliced almonds
• 1/4 c. pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries
• 2 T. low sugar vanilla pudding

The Making:

1. Preheat oven to 325. Place parchment paper into baking dish.
2. Place first 7 ingredients in a small saucepan. Set aside.
3. Combine remaining ingredients up to (not including the pudding) in a medium mixing bowl. Stir until ingredients are mixed.
4. Heat saucepan over medium low for 2 - 3 minutes, or until it begins to boil. Stir vigorously. Allow the liquid to boil for 1 minute; remove from heat and allow it to cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Add pudding at this time and stir well.
5. Create a well in the dry ingredients. Carefully pour the liquid mixture into the well and stir with a fork. The mixture will be sticky. Use your fingers to make sure the ingredients are fully combined.
6. Place granola mixture on the prepared pan. Press the mixture down firmly, ensuring that the bars will be equally thick throughout the pan.
7. Cook at 325 for 15 minutes. Turn the temperature down to 300 and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the bars are slightly browned.
8. Remove the dish from the oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Cut the rectangle into 8 equally sized bars, but do not remove from the pan. Allow the bars to cool an additional 30 minutes (you've given them some time to rest and really grip together), after which you may enjoy to your heart's content!

Estimated Nutrition Facts (for the Chewy):

Calories: 150

Fat: 7g

Sodium: 86mg

Fiber: 4g

Carbohydrates: 19g

Protein: 6g

Estimated Nutrition Facts (for the Crunchy):

Calories: 135

Fat: 5g

Sodium: 80mg

Fiber: 3.5g

Carbohydrates: 20g

Protein: 6g