Granola Fig Bars Food

HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
• Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

FIG AND GINGER GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix together oats, coconut, both nuts, maple syrup, oil, brown sugar, pepitas, and 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste). Spread mixture in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until darkened, 50 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes for the first 30 minutes and then every 5 to 10 minutes after that. Let cool completely.

HOMEMADE OATMEAL FIG BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch (what I use and recommend) or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the bars when they have cooled. Set aside.
• Combine the chopped dried figs, water, and orange juice together in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook while stirring occasionally for 5-8 minutes or until figs are soft and have absorbed some of the liquid. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cool for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a food processor or blender and puree until there are no more chunks (fig seeds will not break down). Set aside. Makes *about* 1 and 1/4 cups filling.
• In a large bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and egg together. Add the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Begin whisking to combine and once the mixture becomes too thick, switch to a spoon or rubber spatula to bring the ingredients together. You will have about 2 and 1/2 cups of this crust/topping mixture.
• Take a little over 1 and 1/2 cups of the crust/topping mixture and press it evenly into the lined pan. Spread fig filling in an even layer on top. Spoon remaining crust/topping mixture evenly on top and gently press it down into the filling to ensure it's tight and compact on top.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top has lightly browned. Avoid over-baking. 8 inch pans take closer to 30 minutes, 9 inch pans take closer to 25 minutes. (Note: Oil/moisture will soak on the parchment paper during the baking & cooling process. That's normal with this recipe.) Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Cool bars completely.
• Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang on the sides. Cut into squares.
• Cover leftover bars and store at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

GRANOLA FIG BARS

Steps:

• Chop figs in a food processor with an off and on motion.
• Add sugar and lemon juice, blending till smooth.
• Combine granola, brown sugar, flour and almonds in a large mixing bowl.
• Reserve 4 cups of this mixture.
• Press remaining mixture evenly into a greased 9 x 13 pan.
• Spread filling over top and cover with remaining 4 cups of granola mixture; press lightly with hands.
• Bake at 375 degF for about 25 minutes or until golden.
• Cut while still warm.
• Serve as a dessert (12 servings), topped with whipped cream or ice cream.
• Can also be cut into 32 bars.