Simply Delicious Granola Bars
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Ingredients:
1.5 - 2 cups organic oats
1/3 cup organic raw honey or pure local honey
1/4-1/3 cup organic virgin cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil*
1/4 - 1/2 cup organic Thompson seedless raisins (or substitute 70% Dark Equal Exchange chocolate chips)
1/2 cup slivered or chopped unsalted almonds
1/2 cup mix nuts/seeds (raw sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, lightly salted peanuts, lightly salted cashews, and/or nuts/seeds of choice)
*Make sure the coconut oil is unrefined (and NOT refined) because it makes a difference. Unrefined coconut oil has a smoke point of 350°F, is less processed, and has a richer flavor.Toast oats and almonds for 5-10 min in oven on 350 F or until they are slightly brown. [Faster option: Alternatively, toast them in toaster oven on toast for about a 1 minute or until slightly brown.] Place coconut oil and honey in a mixing bowl while oats and almonds are cooking. Once oats and almonds are finished toasting, immediately pour them into the mixing bowl with the coconut oil and honey. [Optional: You can heat the coconut oil on the stove, so that it is in a liquid state and easier to mix]. Heating honey is NOT recommended as it destroys its nutrients. Mix the oats, almonds, coconut oil, and honey well with a wooden spoon. Add other seeds/nuts and mix well. If using chocolate chips, wait a little bit before adding them to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients because if you don't they will melt. Add more liquid ingredients (honey) if necessary. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and transfer the mixture into the pan. Place another piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture inside the pan and press on it with your hands to make it flat and even. Keep the top piece of parchment paper to cover your granola bars and store in refrigerator to enjoy later. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or freeze. Enjoy! Feel free to make your own modifications such as using other nuts (Pistachios, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, Hazelnuts, etc) in place of or in addition to the above listed.