Garbage Granola Bars

Well, I haven't been taking photos of my food the last few days, mainly because it's not that interesting (yet). When things start getting crazy in our Grocery Challenge 2012, I'll let you know.

I've decided to make granola bars for my mid-morning snack instead of buying more. I have all of the ingredients, so I figured I'd just go for it. I researched a few recipes online to see what most home made granola bars have in them, then went to my cabinets and took out everything that seemed like it would work in a granola bar. I want to get rid of whatever remnant baking ingredients we have laying around before the move, and this proved to be the perfect application! Hence the name, "Garbage Granola Bars" - many of these ingredients would have ended up in the garbage when we move! All of the measurements below are estimates, I didn't actually measure anything other than the oatmeal.

Garbage Granola Bars
2C Oatmeal
3/4C Shredded Coconut
1/2C Honey
1T Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
1C Chocolate Chunk Chips
1C Crushed Walnuts
1/4C Canola Oil (not pictured)

Preheat to 325º. Throw everyone in the mixer & mix away! Combine until sticky, then transfer to a 9x13 glass baking sheet. Pack the mixture down as far as you can into the pan, making sure there aren't any creases for the granola to separate while baking. Bake for 25-30 min & let cool completely before cutting. Makes 12 bars.

Ingredients

Pack it in there!

Up close & personal with the ooey-gooeys

This little oven should be on every bride's registry.
PERFECT to cook for 2, especially in the summer when it's hot!

Ta-da!! "Garbage Granola Bars" 

I can't be sure how healthy these are, but it sure cleaned out our baking cabinet nicely & they are CRAZY delicious. How can you go wrong with coconut AND chocolate?! While they were baking I wished I'd put cinnamon & peanut butter into the mix, but now that I've tasted them I'm quite pleased with what they are. They are a little chewy, crunchy on the edges, gooey where there is chocolate, and nutty from the walnuts. I have a feeling they would be good with basically any combination of baking yummies. Can't go wrong - I will definitely make these again with my baking remnants!!