Chop & Mix

This is a seriously addictive recipe. I have made it almost weekly, and pretty much eat it all myself. My favorite version was with no seeds just nuts, dates, and chocolate chips.  This recipe is adapted from February 2012 issue of Canadian House and Home.  And if you are wondering as I was, since I eat so many of these, that for 1/24 of the batch there are approximately 200 calories.  Meaning if you cut this into 24 pieces each one is about 196 calories, following the posted recipe.  If you change up the proportions of nuts/seeds, well then you are on your own.  But I think this is a good place to start.

Chateau Lake Louise Granola Bars

3/4 c honey
3/4c canola or vegetable oil
2 tbsp fancy molasses
3 c rolled oats (not instant, I used quick or regular)
1/4c sunflower seeds
3/4c pumpkin seeds
2tbsp sesame seeds
1 c oat or wheat bran
1/4 c chopped cashews
1/4 c chopped pecans
3/4 c sliced almonds
1/2 c raisins or dried cherries or cranberries
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4c ground flax seeds*

*recipe calls for 1/4c of milk powder, and I didn’t have any on hand the first few times I made it, when I finally got some and made it, I did notice that the milk helps to bind it, it is crumbly without it,  but I can sacrifice and have some crumbly squares and skip the milk, making it vegan (unless you count honey as not vegan).

Preheat oven to 350c.
Bring oil honey and molasses to boil, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Mix rest if ingredients any proportions here will work.
Pour liquid over dry ingredients.
Press mixture into shallow rimmed baking sheet line with parchment.
Bake for 12min.
Once cool cut into squares and store in air tight container.

Substitution that I have used: dates, chocolate chips, dried cherries, dried cranberries, and any combination of nuts and seeds.