For many years I have dabbled in making Granola. I love the stuff! It can be plain, with fruit and nuts, in a bag, in a bar, however you want to snack it, I have likely tried it, ha! Seriously though, I really like a granola bar that is chewy and not rock hard... that's for the pieces and can be put on yogurt or in a bowl with milk. This recipe I am sharing with you today is the first one I have successfully done that was close to the store bought kind I so dearly love. I can't wait to try it again and mix up a few of the ingredients to give it a bit of a different experience!
Watch an instructional video Here >>
Ingredients
- ½ cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter
- ½ cup honey (can use molasses, maple syrup, sorghum, etc.)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ripe banana, mashed well
- 2 cups granola cereal or ready to cook oats
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ½ cup dried dates or figs alternatively apricots or pineapple
- ½ cup chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, almonds
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, cherries
- ⅓ cup seeds like pumpkin or sunflower
- optionally you can add coconut flakes
Preheat oven to 350° F (177° C).Line and spray an 8″ x 8” baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients including the banana until well mixed. In a larger mixing bowl, combine starter, sweetener, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix until evenly incorporated.Spread the mixture into prepared pan and press with spatula or back of greased hand until evenly distributed. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly toasted and golden brown around the edges. Cool on wire rack for 30-45 minutes. Cut into bars or squares and store in an air-tight container, separating layers with fresh parchment paper. Can be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage. ENJOY!