Cocoa Granola Bars Food

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper so that it hangs over the edges.
• *Optional - spread oats on a baking sheet in a single layer and toast in the oven for 7-10 minutes shaking the pan occasionally until just starting to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool a few minutes.
• Transfer the cooled oats to a large bowl and add the dried fruit, nuts, cacao powder and salt, stir to mix.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.
• Fold in the chia seeds and cacao nibs if using until combined.
• Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing into the corners and flattening the top.
• Bake for 30 minutes, remove from oven and place on a rack to cool for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the bars from the dish by lifting the edges of the parchment paper up and place directly on the rack until cooled completely.
• Cut into 8 pieces and store wrapped tightly or in an air tight container. Bars will keep at room temperature for about 5 days or up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

COCOA-COCONUT GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
• Spread rolled oats, flax seed meal, sliced almonds, shredded coconut, and chia seeds onto a baking sheet.
• Toast oats mixture in preheated oven, stirring every 5 minutes, until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes.
• Reduce oven heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Combine honey, brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract, coconut extract, ground cinnamon, and salt together in a saucepan over medium-low heat; cook and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir cocoa powder into the honey mixture until dissolved.
• Mix toasted oat mixture and the honey mixture in a large bowl and stir until the dry ingredients are coated; spread into the prepared baking dish and press into an even layer.
• Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Cool bars in pan for 10 minutes, immediately cut into squares, and remove from pan.

HEALTHY BROWNIE GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Optional step: Toast your oats and pecans in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven for 15 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw - I prefer the toasted flavor.
• Process walnuts in a food processor until a loose meal is reached. Remove from bowl and set aside.
• Add dates and process until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a "dough" like consistency. (Mine rolled into a ball).
• Add walnut meal and cocoa or cacao powder back in with the dates and process to combine.
• Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the (toasted) oats and nuts and stir to combine. You may have to use your hands to really incorporate the mixture well.
• Next, warm honey and almond butter in a small skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until combined and pourable. Pour over brownie mixture and then thoroughly stir using a wooden spoon. (I opted to put plastic bags on my hands and mix that way to better incorporate the mixture.)
• Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to a 9×13 dish (or similar size pan // adjust if altering batch size) lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily.
• If using a 9x13, ONLY USE 3/4 of the pan so they have the proper thickness. Otherwise they'll be too thin. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap and press down firmly to even out the top. Freeze for 15-20 minutes to harden.
• Lift bars from pan and chop into 12 even bars (or more if you prefer). Store in an airtight container in the freezer or fridge to keep them extra fresh. They will get a little sticky when left out at room temp.

COCOA GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Combine cereal, oats,raisins and white chocolate chips in a big bowl.
• Warm honey, brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a saucepan on the stove top, stirring to combine.
• Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir to combine then take off heat.
• Pour mixture over cereal mixture and mix well.
• Press into a 9 x 13 ungreased pan.
• Be sure to press hard into pan all over so they don't fall apart.
• Put in refrigerator for an hour to cool which makes them easier to cut.
• Cut into 15 bars and enjoy.
• You may also wrap in wax paper and freeze.

CHEF JOHN'S CHOCOLATE GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Combine brown sugar, maple syrup, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, salt, cayenne pepper, and cocoa powder in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly. Add oats and almonds. Toss and smear the mixture together using a spatula until well coated. Spread mixture evenly over a silicone-lined baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Toss granola with a fork, breaking up any clumps to get a finer texture. Continue baking until desired texture is reached, 30 to 60 minutes more. Sprinkle some granola onto a plate; if it clinks, it is ready. Turn off the oven and leave granola inside the oven to dry and cool to room temperature.

COCONUT GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, peanut butter, corn syrup, butter and vanilla. Combine the remaining ingredients; add to peanut butter mixture and stir to coat. Press into two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Cut into bars.