Granola is simple. Stupid simple. And yet time after time, I find myself throwing various boxes into the shopping cart or pre-made bars packed with who knows what. I dig granola on the go. When we are out mountain biking it’s a quick fuel option. And because I’m generally pretty lazy, I figure it makes a half decent breakfast.
I can’t help but wonder, since – as I mentioned – it is so darned simple, why I don’t make it more often. That is until I make it. Sure, granola is packed with healthy nuts and stuff, but once you add whatever’s keeping it all together in and a splash of chocolate, I’m sure the calorie to heath ratio is a bit off. And when I do make it, it’s shove in your face all day long worthy. Not the occasional ‘bar on the go’.
And shove in my face I did.
These snack bars came to be when Brookside asked me to taste test some of their new flavors. I was a bit skeptical at first, but after first bite I kind of fell in love. There’s more chocolate than fruit – shhh, don’t tell mom – so it makes for a great texture when noshing on. Throwing it into the granola was the perfect splash of fruit and chocolate flavor it needed to spice things up.
Chewy Chocolate Goji Berry Granola Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 – 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 2 cups rice cereal
- 1/4 cup flax seed
- 1 1/2 cups cookie butter (or any nut butter)
- 3 tbs agave
- 3 tbs light corn syrup
- 1 – 2 tbs honey
- 1 bag chocolate covered Goji
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and coconut in an even layer. Bake for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly browned. Set aside and let cool for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, line a 9×13″ baking pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
In a large bowl mix the cereal and flax seeds with the cooled oat mixture.
In a small saucepan, heat the cookie butter, agave, corn syrup, and honey until combined and smooth. Let cool for a few minutes. Pour over the oat mixture and (if safe to touch) get your hands in there and mix everything up. Add the chocolates and combine. Press into the prepared baking pan and let set for at least 2 hours before slicing. (If desired – top with a drizzle of chocolate).
Check this out: One lucky reader is going to get to try their own bag of chocolate covered goodness.
Brookside® Tasting Kit Giveaway
Including:
- 1 pkg. Brookside® Dark Chocolate Pomegranate
- 1 pkg. Brookside® Dark Chocolate Açai with Blueberry
- 1 pkg. Brookside® Dark Chocolate Goji with Raspberry
To enter to win your own Brookside Tasting Kit – head over to the Brookside Site and let me know what flavor you are most excited to try!
Earn Extra Points by doing the following and leaving me a comment saying you have:
- Following Pass the Sushi on Facebook
- Following Brookside on Facebook
- Joining the Email Subscription
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- Following Brookside on Twitter
- Tweeting about this giveaway including @passthesushi and @Brookside_Choc
- Subscribing to my RSS Feed
- Google +ing this post
- Pinning this post
- And as always, bribery and flattery goes a long way in the PtS kitchen.
- 3-compartment serving bowl with a central loop handle (each bowl is an 8 oz. well)
- Stainless Steel Cheese Server
- Ceramic Cheese Grip Serving Board
- 2 Stemless Wine Glasses
- Grocery Gift Card ($30)
- Subscription for Fitness Magazine
- Gaiam® Exercise Headband
My name is Kita. I am a 20 something girl geek and website/graphic designer who can rock an apron like there is no tomorrow.
All of the flavors sound great but my first choice is the Dark Chocolate Goji with Raspberry. I grow raspberries in my yard, okay last year I got a small bowl full but its only been a year. I just hope they “take off” next season because I love’m in everything from cereal, ice cream, preserves, etc.
Your granola bars look amazing, tasty and satisfying. I really want to win but you could sweeten the deal with a homemade. You might say that the recipe is there, I plan on trying it but it would be great to compare them with the original version.
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The dark chocolate pomegranate sounds delicious.
I first thought you were using dried goji berries….chocolate covered…that sounds even better! These granola bars look divine.
The dark chocolate pomegranate ones look amazing!! So do your granola bars and I actually have all the ingredients in my house – might have to make them soon!
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Mmm…I want the acai with blueberry ones in my mouth now!!!
And I’m a facebook follower.
Followed Brookside on facebook!
Subscribed to emails
And pinned it!
Dark Chocolate Goji looks so good!
I already subscribe to your rss
and i follow you on facebook