Crunchy Granola Bars

We really like crunchy granola bars but can't eat the popular ones on the market due to the added soy protein, eggs and dairy.  So I decided to create my own recipe.  Here is one that I tried today.  I forgot about them.  OOPS!  So the edges are a little brown.....well really brown but DG thinks they taste like roasted marshmallows.  LOL!  I am pleased with them and thought others might like them as well.  They do contain quite a bit of sugar between the honey and the brown sugar.  I did not mess with that yet.  ;)

Crunchy Granola Bars

3/4 c melted coconut oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c brown sugar

Mix together as well as possible.  Immediately  pour into:

4 cups GF oatmeal
1 c unsweetened coconut
1/2 - 3/4 chopped dark unsweetened chocolate *

Mix thoroughly until everything is incorporated.  Press into an 10 x 15 jelly roll pan.  Bake at 450.  MAKE SURE YOU WATCH THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!  When they are evenly browned, remove from the oven.  Score/cut with a pizza cutter.  Allow to cool completely.  Remove from pan and break apart.  YUMMY!

* Make sure to use dairy free unsweetened chocolate or dark chocolate

Yummy Oatmeal

1 medium apple, peeled, cored and diced
3/4 c gf oatmeal
1 1/2 c milk product or water
pinch of salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t vanilla
1-2 T brown sugar
1/4 c golden raisins

Peel, core and dice medium cooking apple.  Add apple, oatmeal to boiling milk.  Turn down heat to medium.  Stirring occasionally cook for about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and brown sugar.  Stir in raisins if desired.  Serve hot.  Enjoy!

NOTES:  I use rice milk with no difficulties in the cooking process.  If you want to go completely milk free, just use water although I have also heard that you can use apple juice.  If you use apple juice, taste before adding the sugar as apple juice will give a natural sweetness to the oatmeal.

I also will make enough to save for Leftover Oatmeal Pancakes.

Leftover Oatmeal Pancakes

My friend Bethany has a great cooking blog.  I have wanted to try these  pancakes for several weeks.  They were "blow your socks off" good!  Probably the best pancakes I have ever had.  I also liked that I did not feel guilty eating them due to the high amount of fiber and protein that is packed into them.

Leftover Oatmeal Pancakes
~ RidgetopFamilyFarm - Sonlight Forums

1 c. gf flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 c. cold cooked oatmeal***
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk or dairy free milk
2 T. oil or melted butter or coconut oil

Mix dry ingredients together; add to oatmeal and mix. Mix wet ingredients in another bowl, then stir into oatmeal mixture. Cook on lightly greased griddle over medium-high heat. Use 1/4 cup of batter per pancake. Makes about 10 pancakes.

Notes: These are thick and puffy pancakes that taste wonderful, thanks to the cinnamon!! A pastry cutter is perfect for getting the leftover oatmeal to mix evenly with the dry ingredients.