Years ago, I purchased Martha’s Family Cookery Book and found a granola recipe in it that, after a few tweaks, became our favorite granola. However, my family doesn’t eat a lot of granola, and some of the children don’t really like it at all. But, put it into a granola bar and suddenly you have a hit! So here is our favorite granola recipe along with the recipe we use to make it into bars.
Homemade Granola
Combine in a large bowl:
5 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. nuts (walnuts or peanuts or sliced almonds, etc)
1/2 c. dry milk powder
3/4 c. coconut (I prefer shredded)
1/4 c. wheat germ
3/4 tsp cinnamon
In a small saucepan, stir together and heat:
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. cooking oil (coconut oil is really yummy!)
1/3 c. honey
Pour this over the granola and mix thoroughly. Spread out on a large baking sheet. I like to use a stoneware bar pan. because it helps to have sides on your pan. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Let cool and store in airtight container. (no need to refrigerate.)
Homemade Granola Bars
6 Tbsp butter
1 c. peanut butter
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
All of the granola recipe above
Put the granola in a large bowl and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter together, heating slowly and evenly. Meanwhile, beat eggs in a bowl. When the butter and peanut butter are melted, remove the pan from the heat and quickly whisk the eggs in. (When I say “quickly”, I mean it! If you don’t do it quickly, you will end up with scrambled eggs!) The mixture will emulsify and you will have a thickened mixture.
Beat in the vanilla, and then pour the mixture over the granola, stirring well in order to coat the granola entirely.
Spread the mixture out into at least a 9×13″ pan with sides. (I use the same bar pan I make my granola in). Cool completely (better yet, pop them in the refrigerator so they cool faster!).
Once they are cool, cut them into to rectangles and enjoy!
You’re welcome!
Elizabeth says
I love granola bars. We have many different recipes and this one looks just a yummy as the others. Thanks for sharing!
Jillian says
Same here, thanks for sharing! These would be good for long car rides. 🙂 Pinning for later!
Amy Hopping says
Ooooh! I was just looking for a good homemade granola bar recipe! I need one that doesn’t crumble much, and your’s looks beautiful! I’m hoping to find a recipe that does well as trail food. I will definitely give this one a try this week.
Melissa Hedge says
Is the dry milk absolutely necessary? I have a kid with a dairy allergy.
Amy says
No, but I would consider adding in something like almond flour or a soy based protein powder for a little extra substance.
Cecilia says
You can get coconut milk powder from Wilderness Family Naturals too. That’s what I plan to use. 🙂
Lauren says
I was wondering if you use a natural peanut butter to make these or a more standard one? We bought a double pack of natural PB the last time we went shopping; we’ve always been a Jif family before now. 😉 It’s much stickier in your mouth, but runnier at room temp, and not quite as sweet. I was just wondering if the consistency of the all-natural PB would still work with this recipe, if I try it should I add any extra brown sugar, etc. My children LOVE granola bars, and they will LOVE making these with me, but with a less than 3-week old precious little gift in our house, I definitely don’t want to go through this recipe without working out those little questions/kinks first! 😉
Amy says
Having never tried it with natural peanut butter, I can’t speak for sure to that, but I would imagine the consistency will be fine. You might want to add a bit of sugar, but honestly, I don’t think that’s needed.
Sarah says
Oh yum! I’m going to have to try these. I’ve actually never made granola bars before!
Angela J. says
I am just checking to see if you still bake the granola before mixing it into bars or do you mix all ingredients together skip the baking part and then add the “yummy goop” for the bars? lol…. I have not ever made granola or granola bars so I just want to be certain before I try this lol…. Thanks!! Have a blessed day 🙂
Amy says
Yes, I do bake it first. 🙂
Jessica Gallipeau says
These look wonderful! One question: If you are making the bars, do you bake the granola first and then go on to the steps for the bars? Thanks!
Amy says
Yes, I do. I think it helps to bring out the flavors.
Brandi says
I made these today and they were wonderful! I added raisins, craisins, and dark chocolate chunks. They are even husband approved!! Thanks for this recipe!!
Amy says
Fabulous!
Jill Beran says
I already have some granola made so just wondering approximately how many cups does your recipe make that you mix in with the bar “goop” (as someone above described it)? Thanks! Thinking my people will love these!!
Amy says
About 5 cups. 🙂