Maple Cranberry And Pecan Muesli Bars Food

HEALTHY 5-INGREDIENT GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a "dough" like consistency. (Mine rolled into a ball.)
• Optional step: Toast your oats (and almonds if raw) in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw - I prefer the toasted flavor.
• Place oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl - set aside.
• Warm maple syrup (or agave or honey) and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.
• Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8x8-inch baking dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. (A loaf pan might work, but will yield thicker bars // adjust size of pan if altering batch size).
• Press down firmly until uniformly flattened - I use something flat, like a drinking glass, to press down and really pack the bars, which helps them hold together better.
• Cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and let firm up in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.
• Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars (or 9 squares // as original recipe is written). Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. I kept mine in the freezer to keep them extra fresh, but it isn't necessary.

CHEWY MAPLE PECAN COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer), cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. With the mixer running on low speed, add the maple syrup in a slow, steady stream and mix to combine.
• Scrape the bowl well, then add the egg and mix on medium speed until the mixture is well combined. Beat in the vanilla.
• Add the flour, baking powder and fine salt to the mixer and pulse until it starts to combine, then scrape the bowl well and mix on low speed until uniformly combined. Add the pecans and mix until evenly incorporated.
• Scoop the dough into 2 tablespoon-size rounds on the prepared baking sheets, staggering the rows and leaving at least 1 1/2 inches between each cookie to allow room to spread. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on the surface of each cookie. Transfer to the oven and bake until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool before serving.

MAPLE PECAN BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Press into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until edges are lightly browned, 12-15 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, syrup, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir over low heat until butter is melted. Stir in pecans, cream and vanilla. Remove from the heat; spread over crust., Bake until bubbly, 20-25 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

CHEWY MAPLE BARS

Steps:

• In a mixing bow, cream sugar and shortening. Add syrup and egg and beat well. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture. Add vanilla and mix well. Stir in oats and walnuts. Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Cut into squares while warm. Cool on a wire rack.

MAPLE PEARS WITH PECANS & CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Peel and halve the pears and scoop out the core with a teaspoon. Lay the halves in a shallow microwaveable dish, cut side down, along with the cranberries. Pour 2 tbsp of the maple syrup over and cover with cling film. Microwave on High for 3 mins until softened, stirring halfway through. Uncover and leave to cool for a few mins. Stir the pecan nuts through the syrup.
• Spoon into serving dishes, drizzle extra maple syrup, if you like, and serve with yogurt.