Homemade granola bars loaded with oats, wheat germ, peanut butter, swirled peanut butter chocolate chips, and peanuts. Perfect for a quick breakfast or an on-the-go snack.
A friend of mine from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, asked me to participate in “May is for Miracles” by posting a favorite recipe I like to take to friends or family during difficult times. Giveaway details are at the bottom of this post.
My sweet neighbor was battling cancer and one of my favorite things to bake to take to her was homemade granola. There are endless flavor combinations, you can eat it any time of day and you don’t have to worry about keeping it hot.
I decided to change it up and make granola bars this time. My boys favorite granola bars are peanut butter chocolate chip. I Googled peanut butter granola bars and Smitten Kitchen’s post came up.
Deb’s recipe was adapted from the King Arthur Flour Chewy Granola Bar recipe. I included some of Deb’s changes, as well as suggestions from other reviewers including reducing the sugar significantly. With the peanut butter and chocolate chips these bars are still plenty sweet. Each bar has 7 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.
My grandson was in the NICU for a couple of weeks after he was born and I know my daughter appreciated quick, easy to eat items like granola bars that she could take to the hospital with her. I’m sure there’s someone you know that would be happy to receive them too.
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick rolled oats
- 1/3 cup wheat germ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup peanut butter swirl chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped lightly salted peanuts
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9" x 13" pan with parchment. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Mix together oats, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon, chocolate chips and peanuts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, melted butter, honey, corn syrup, peanut butter, water and vanilla.
- Toss the wet ingredients with the dry until the mixture is evenly crumbly.
- Spread in prepared pan, use a spatula and gently press mixture evenly in pan.
- Bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes, until they're golden brown around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove from pan and cool on a wire rack for one hour. Use a long serrated knife to cut into 4”x1.25” bars.
- Wrap bars individually to store; or store in layers with parchment in between. In humid weather, it's best to store bars in the refrigerator. They also freeze well.
Notes
adapted from King Arthur Flour
You can help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by supporting fundraising campaigns happening this month at the charity’s partners including Walmart; Sam’s Club; Rite Aid; Costco; and Chico’s FAS Brands: Chico’s, White House Black Market, Soma Intimates and Boston Proper. For more May happenings: www.MayIsForMiracles.org.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raise funds for 170 children’s hospitals (Primary Children’s Medical Center is our Utah hospital).
Giveaway:
Update: The giveaway is now closed. Congratulations Kathia! Having fun shopping!
Wal-Mart, a Children’s Miracle Network corporate sponsor, is giving a $30 Wal-Mart Gift Card to one lucky Barbara Bakes’ reader to help raise awareness of May is for Miracles,
To enter leave a comment on this post before Friday, May 18 at noon, MST, and tell me what you like to take to friends or family during difficult times.
For extra entries:
Like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on Facebook
Like Barbara Bakes on Facebook
Leave a separate comment for each entry. The giveaway is only open to residents of the US. Be sure your email address is included with your comment(s). Winner will be chosen randomly, notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.
Some of the links in my posts may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting Barbara Bakes when you shop!
I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies. I’ll post my adventures in the kitchen, my favorite new recipes, as well as our family favorites.
Also like Children’s Miracle Hospitals too on FB
I like to make a chicken pot pie for someone who is going through difficult times.
I think anything homemade is a nice touch for someone going through a difficult time. I think cookies are my go to though! These granola bars look delicious!!
Casseroles ready to pop in the oven or freezer and bags of salad with brownies for dessert!
I love granola bars and you are so kind to do this mum!
xxx
I don’t live in the US and therefore can’t enter but wanted to say that I hope your neighbor is better and that it was so sweet of you to bring her food. The granola bars look fantastic, too.
Sometimes I like to get them some groceries. Especially if they are going to have family visiting. But a casserole is always a good standby!
I like to take meals that can be put in the freezer and brought out when the family needs it. Thanks for the great giveaway!
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com
I follow Barbara Bakes on Facebook. Thanks!
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com
I liked Children’s Miracle Network on Facebook. Thanks!
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com
Bringing a homemade meal to a family or friends is very welcoming and appreciated!
I like Barbara Bakes on FB
Also like Children’s Miracle Network too – thanks so much!
You know me and peanut butter..not to mention, I used ‘do’ a 1/2 lb granola a day in college. Those bars look terrific, and although they might be too heavy for someone very sick, as you mentioned, they’re great for family members when a loved one is ill. I’m food cliche..I always make a huge pot of homemade chicken soup for friends or loved ones who are sick. The bonus is, an ice cold orange soda along with the soup. No idea why, but the combo always soothes anyone who tries it. I love that you’re doing this giveaway for such a wonderful cause
Those granola bars look fantastic!
Have a great weekend!
Angie
It depends on the situation, but for my Dad, when he was undergoing cancer treatment, I made him chicken soup frequently. It was one of the few things he could tolerate. Something that freezes well is also a good option to take to families going through a difficult time, since sometimes they are given so much food that they can’t use it all right then.
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Granola bars are a great item to share. I know I cant seem to keep a batch around for very long at home. I usually think cookies but I’ll have to rethink that now. Your bars look amazing!
I like you on Facebook!
I like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on Facebook too!
Granola is such a nice thing to share and your peanut butter bars look great!
I like to make goodies and share them with my friends in need and/or other kids at the park.
Sounds like a great way to start the day
Happy Mother’s Day !
i bring friends homemade baked goods
katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com
I like to take a meat loaf to someone in need. It’s comfort food, plus the leftovers are great for sandwiches.
Nice granola bars, Barbara. Never thought to take something like that for snacking in the hospital…what a great idea.
My old favorite for the housebound is my mother’s pound cake. It’s delicious, huge, and can be cut in pieces and frozen.
What a great cause!! And these granola bars would be the perfect thing to take to someone who needs a quick, healthy snack.
I like to make sloppy joes for people… easy and comforting.
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Gorgeous looking bars. Homemade ones are definitely nutritious.
I like to make some kind of casserole like Turkey Tetrazzini or Chicken Mushroom Penne and include a loaf of homemade bread, fresh from the oven.
Thanks!
I follow Children’s Miracle Network on facebook.
(Sharon O.)
I follow you on facebook.
(Sharon O.)
Warm chocolate chip cookies.
I usually take a plate of baked goods, which I keep year-round in the freezer (fudge, cookies, brownies, breads). They seem to bring a smile to the saddest faces.
Once I learn to make these granola bars of yours, they’ll be added to the mix! YUM
I love to take a big pan of lasagna, French bread (homemade if I have time) and the makings for salad.
A “deli tray” with different types of cold cuts, cheeses and other condiments.
I love soft and chewy granola bars and these look absolutely fantastic!
I like to take over homemade cookies and a listening ear.
I follow you on Facebook.
My dad grows avocados. For the people that like them, a bag of avocados. If they don’t like them, I make a plate of treats. . Penuche usually makes it on the plate!
I would love to take my family to Disney land and stay at the Disney land resort.
I like you on FB.