Swoon-Worthy “Clean” Granola Bars

(I’m on a 5-year plan to replace 95% of our food with clean food options. Every month I post two new recipes that replace something we’re currently eating.)

I told you that granola bars was the second “clean” recipe swap for this month, and oh-my-word are you going to love these!  I totally can’t take credit for this recipe – that goes to Jo-Lynne from Musings of a Housewife, who gave me permission to re-print it here.  (She is also on a clean-food journey; click this link to read what she’s been learning.)

Now, are these exactly a health-food?  No. 

But if you’ve been eating the ones from the store that are loaded with preservatives and won’t expire for several years, well, this is a step in the right direction.  My husband works an extremely hard and physically demanding job, and he takes lots of snacks with him in his lunch box.  I haven’t bought granola bars for him in over two months and I’m not planning on ever buying them again (except for maybe the Kashi brand, but he’s not crazy about those). 

Honestly, he loves these so it’s a win-win!

Here’s the recipe (my notes are in brackets):

1/2 stick real butter, softened
1/4 cup peanut butter 
3/4 to 1 cup Sucanat {I don’t have Sucunat yet; I’ve been using 1 C white sugar and it turns out fine}
3 T raw honey
1 t vanilla extract
1 egg
1 c soft wheat pastry flour {also don’t have this so I’ve been subbing half whole wheat, half unbleached white and whisking it together lightly}
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
2 c rolled oats
1 c mini-chocolate chips {reg size is fine; these aren’t entirely clean and I realize that, but you can buy clean brands}

In a mixing bowl, cream the butters and Sucanat. Add honey, vanilla, egg. Beat well. Combine dry ingredients, stir into creamed mixture. Fold in oats, and chips. Press into a GREASED 9×13 pan.  Use buttered hands to get it spread evenly.

Bake 25 minutes at 350 or until the top is lightly browned {only needs 20 min in my oven}. Remove from oven, let cool about 10 minutes in the pan, then cut the bars but do not take them out until they’re cooled.  Otherwise they break easily.

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For the month of May, my goal is Fruit Snacks (also for the hubs) and Blue Cheese dressing.

ENJOY! :)

Linking up to:

Tasty Tuesday @ Beauty and Bedlam
Tuesdays at the Table @ All the Small Stuff
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed With Grace