Today we made some granola bars to snack on for the duration of our nine hour drive to Rhode Island to see my brother get hitched.  When driving with two tiny boys its best to bring all food and stop only to nurse, use the restroom, or run around.  Not only does this save you a bunch of cash but lots of stress too.

I started making granola during this last very cold and long winter.  All the maple syrup farms in this area inspired me to use it more often and oh my, is this a good recipe.  You can really use whatever you want to make granola I have discovered though.  A little this, a little that, whatever you have in your cupboard.  And to turn it into bars? A cinch I’d say.

Granola-

• 1/2 cup crushed almonds
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds (sometimes I use less)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup flax meal
• 1 cup of wheat flour
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1/4 cup juice (any kind works)
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• dash of vanilla extract
• 3 cups oats (not quick oats either the old fashioned kind)
• dried fruit (cherries, raisins, mango etc.)

Now mix the dry and wet seperatly then mix them together!  Bake in the oven at 350 for about an hour or so, mixing every so often until its golden on the edges.  It will get crispy after it cools a bit.  Now mix in the dried fruit.

Now… for the bars

• 1 egg
• 3 tbs. honey
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter will work just fine)
• 2 cups granola

Cook the egg, honey and nut butter on the stove top until bubbly.  Mix in granola and put into a dish to chill. Then you can just cut them up into bars.

After this, I decided to indulge in a little Julia… Ah, that woman.  By god she could bake.  I am crazy in love with my copy of Baking with Julia my Dad recently gave to me. Thanks Dad!  These brownies truly are the best brownies ever.

Hopefully these goodies keep us in a positive and cheerful move for the long drive!