Tuesday 13 May 2008

Fudge Granola Bars

I recently became the lucky owner of The Best of Better Baking.com Book by Marcy Goldman (thanks to Amazon!). The book features 175 recipes, all fail-safe and each one delicious. I came across the recipe for Fudge Granola Bars and immediately was mesmerized by the long list of wonderful ingredients, only imagining what a delicious granola bar would be born. I couldn’t have been more right, I’ve made granola bars before but these are really something special! The only ingredient I was missing was sesame seeds but nonetheless these bars are so more-ish and filling but best of all they are full of fudgy chocolate goodness!



Fudge Granola Bars


Makes 12-16 bars

Ingredients
½ cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
⅓ cup honey
⅓ cup of firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups granola
5 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, chopped
½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
¾ cup chopped dates or dried cranberries
⅓ cup chocolate-covered raisins
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
⅔ cup whole pecans
2 ½ ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped, melted and cooled, for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 350oF/180oC. Line the bottom of a 7 by 11-inch brownie pan or a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper and spray the paper with non-stick cooking spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, stir the butter, honey, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla together. Stir in the granola, chopped chocolate, coconut, dates/cranberries, raisins, cinnamon, salt, cocoa, flour, sesame seeds, and pecans until blended. Pat the mixture into the prepared pan. Place the pan on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake on the lower shelf of the oven for 20-24 minutes, or until the top seems set, the edges seem dry, and the centre is just a bit jiggly. Let cool completely on a wire rack, then freeze or refrigerate for 1 hour. Cut into squares. Drizzle with melted chocolate and let the chocolate set (or refrigerate to set the chocolate).

16 comments:

Rosie said...

Oh WOW Maria just loving these gorgeous granola bars!! They really look sooo scrummy I could eat one right now!!

This looks a lovely book sweetie and I have it saved to my favs *wink* *wink*

Hugs Rosie x

Kelly-Jane said...

Oh my Maria, they look so good! I'll have to make sure I have marked this one :)

PS I've tagged you!

Anna's kitchen table said...

They look so good! I have this book, but never noticed the recipe - I'll have to have another look!
xx

MrsB said...

Oh maria, they look like the perfect snack! You must post the recipe up so I can make them! I love snacks like this they are perfect to take to work, yum!

Abitofafoodie said...

Those look seriously moreish and delicious. And I always think that granola bars are actually good for you as they have all those seeds in them (let's just keep quiet about the chocolate bit...!).

Anonymous said...

Yum!!

Nickki said...

As soon as saw your picture Maria I was drooling!! This book is on my wish list and when I get it this will be the first recipe I make :)

Ms O said...

Oh, I love Marcy Goldman and used to be a member of her Web site. She's got marvelous recipes. :)

Btw, I made your Blueberry-Buttermilk cake for my mom on Mother's Day. Wow, it was super good and got raves from everyone - Mom included. Thank you so much for the recipe, Maria.

Lea xx

Vicky said...

Ohhh Maria, I love granola bars and these look fantastic. I feel another bake coming on!!!!!
Vicky xxx

Swati said...

These look awesome Maria!!

hungryandfrozen said...

Yum...I hate bought muesli bars and the like but loooove homemade ones. Those look seriously good! x

Maria♥ said...

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments.

Kelly (thanks for the tag) and Anna you must try these, my son and hubby love them!

Lea I'm so glad you tried the Blueberry Cake and that your mum loved it ;o)

Maria
x

Nickki said...

Thanks for posting the recipe Maria, I'm going to give these a try. No wonder they look so good with all those yummy ingredients xxx

Maria♥ said...

Nickki your welcome and let me know what you think. I have a feeling your boys will love them!

Maria
x

Ruth Strong said...

I can see why you were mezmerised with this recipe! Looks delish!

MrsB said...

Thanks Maria for printing the recipe! I will defintely be making this in the near future! x