Sunflower Cherry Granola Bars Recipes

BASE GRANOLA BAR RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment or foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
• Place the oats and nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly toasted.
• While the oats are toasting, add the honey, butter, and brown sugar to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Let the mixture bubble, while stirring, for 1 minute and then remove from the heat.
• Place the nuts and oats in a large bowl.
• Stir in the vanilla and salt to the butter mixture. Pour this mixture over the oat and nut mixture and stir to combine. Add any extra ingredients (except for chocolate) and stir to combine. Make sure none of the oats are dry.
• If you are adding chocolate, wait about 15 minutes for the mixture to cool a bit before adding the chocolate and then stirring to combine.
• Place all of the oat mixture in the prepared pan. Use a rubber spatula or the bottom of a greased measuring cup to press the mixture into the pan. Press it in very firmly, this is what makes the bars stick together.
• Chill the granola bars for at least 2 hours. Lift the bars from the pan using the edges of the foil or parchment and place them on a cutting board. Cut into desired shape/sizes and serve.
• Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 10 days. If you are stacking the granola bars place a piece of parchment between the layers to help prevent sticking.

SUNFLOWER GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325*F. Lightly grease a 8" square baking pan.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, pistachios, raisins, and coconut in a large bowl. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine maple syrup, peanut butter, butter, and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is desolved and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the apple juice, vanilla, and baking soda, and remove from heat.
• Pour into the oats mixture and stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan. Place a piece of plastic wrap on top and top with another pan or a book that will fit inside the baking pan to weigh it down. Use your hands to press down on the weight firmly and evenly so that the mixture spreads evenly in the pan. Remove the weight and the plastic wrap and bake for 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until firm. Use a sharp knife to cut into 12 bars and store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.