Nutrient and calorie dense. Also delicious!
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m part of an on-line baking group, cooking our way through Dorie Greenspan’s Baking Chez Moi cookbook. Today’s recipe is Granola Energy Bars. Hereafter christened Granola Extremely High Caloric Intake Energy Bars. Why? Read on, mes amis!
I started out using Dorie’s base of 2 cups of oats to 2 cups of dried fruit and nuts. And then I modified the recipe, because of course. Instead of pepitas (which I forgot to put on my shopping list and therefore did not have in the house), I just used more pecans. I used dried cranberries for the fruit, and then I used unsweetened shredded coconut to make it a tad healthier. I mean, you’re adding rice syrup — that should make it sweet enough! And then I mixed in a half cup of chocolate chips. Because sugar from chocolate does not count.
Pre-mixing! The benefits of the oats and nuts cancel out the calories of the chocolate and rice syrup, right? I’m pretty sure that’s how it works.
I had read on the Baking with Dorie group site, that others had tried adding chocolate chips, but that they had melted, so I thought I’d let the butter/syrup mixture cool before adding it to the granola. Then I mixed it all up before adding in the chocolate chips just before pressing the mixture into the pan. Did this work? Um, no. I should have let the granola cool after toasting it, but I didn’t, so the mixture turned into a melty, chocolate tinged-and-tasting bowl of yumminess. Melty chocolate? A serendipitious kitchen win for me!
The chocolatey goodness, prior to melting.
While I can’t give you the recipe, you can definitely check out the book from the public library. Or buy it! I’m definitely learning some new techniques while baking through this book, so despite my occasional frustration, it’s actually a good book.
I can give you the brief gist of things though: toast, mix, bake, squish, cut, and eat. Er, squish?
That’s right, squishing is integral to the…integrity…of the finished product. The batter/dough/granola-whatever-you-call-it, bakes up light and a tad airy, so you have to squish it all down with a spatula in order for it to stick together enough that you can cut it into bars when it’s cooled.
I cut mine and then decided to spread melted chocolate on top. (Who needs a reason to add chocolate? Not I!)
Chocolate makes everything better. It also hides a multitude of (slightly burned) sins.
I calculated the calories in each of these bars. Are you ready for this? 365 calories in each leeetle bar. At least in my version of them. They might be choc-a-block full of nutrients, but they’re not a diet food!
The DH and I are trying to eat healthier this season, which means lots of salad. (I do like my salad.) It also means that I’m trying to cut down on the amount of baking that I do. These high-energy bars will have to last me for two weeks. Do you think it’s possible, given my love of midnight snacking? Just thinking about the lack of snacking makes me want to eat another bar. So if you’ll excuse me, off I go to nibble on a chocolate-infused granola bar!
Next Post: Rum balls. So much for healthy! Followed by bulgur salad, repentantly.
Those look truly decadent! They must taste fantastic.
Thanks! I have to confess, I nibble on them in the evening, as well as for breakfast.
Wow, look at all that chocolate…my guys would love that!
Chocolate anything is always up my alley! 🙂
You are too funny, Margaret. All that nutrition comes with a cost. If it makes you feel better about the 300+ calorie count, chocolate is packed with flavonoids and releases seratonin. 🙂
Yes, yes, flavonoids! Serotonin! See, it’s a health food! *grin*
I don’t know you, but I like you–I dipped mine in chocolate too! It’s kind of a must and so not-wrong. Besides, I used organic 70% chocolate, so it’s totally healthy. 😉
70% organic chocolate? Be my bestie! That definitely ups it to a genuine health food. More chocolate-dipped granola for everyone! *grin*
I love your chocolate on top idea! Not diet food, but definitely delish.
Oh wow, look at that chocolate!! My kids would love those, as they generally do not like granola bars, but could be a different story with choc coated granola bars!
Chocolate makes everything better! True story.
Of course the sugar in chocolate doesn’t count! Your High Energy Granola Bars look delicious!
Bravo on the chocolate icing!
Thanks! Granola is healthy and all…but chocolate makes it better!
Oh …chocolate iced granola bars..nice touch, very yummy! They are filling with all those dried fruits, oats and nuts so the calorie count doesn’t surprise me too much..but good to know that eating multiple bars at one sitting might put you over your daily allotment 😉
Over my allotment and then some! But when it tastes this good…I don’t care! 🙂
Those look delicious (and decadent) with the chocolate on top!
You have a great sense of humor. I agree with your sentiments on chocolate. I am glad I am not the only one that finds missing pieces of my baked goods.
Aw, thanks so much, Diane! And yes, bits of baked goods go missing all the time. I blame the DH. My midnight snacking habit has nothing to do with it. *grin*
Ha! You went and did it and dipped them in chocolate! Oh, they look so very good. Next time I won’t tiptoe around and add a few chocolate chips I plan to go bold, as you have done and dip them in chocolate. :0)
cheers and smiles to you.
Thanks for the compliment! My cooking mantra is: Chocolate makes everything better!
Not diet food, but oh so delicious!! Yours look fabulous, especially with the chocolate!
for a chocolatey flavor in the bars, use cocoa nibs-they do not melt!
Thanks, Jane, I’ll have to try that!
Wow! Totally transformed. I’m sure they were tasty!
Aw, thanks, Cathleen! I did rather enjoy them!
covering them with chocolate is brilliant and decadent. I might do that with my next batch or just drizzle if I’m feeling virtuous.
More chocolate is always better! Although drizzling is probably better for one’s waistline. *grin*
Love your post, very funny. I wouldn’t count these as
too healthy with or without the chocolate. Yours look
so good. Definitely a repeat.
Thanks, Nana! Yeah, they’re not super healthy because of all the sugar, but I figure there’s still a bunch of nutritive value. Better than eating pure chocolate, anyway! And I agree, definitely a repeat!