Back when our kickball league was in full force, games usually started at 6:40p, and everyone was rushing out of the office to find parking and make it to the game on time. Since that left barely any time to get something to eat, I thought it’d be nice to make something for them. (Plus they'd have some energy to kick the ball during the game!)
But what do you make for grown adults playing kickball?
Rice Krispies treats seemed more appropriate for little league-ers (plus it involves sticky cleanup) and spam musubis would get cold if I made them in the morning.
That’s where granola bars came in.
First, I have to be honest. These are NOT the healthiest things on the block. Like their store bought counterparts, their claim to fame is the word “granola”. It tricks our brains into think that they’re healthy!
They are, however, quick and easy to make! The recipe is completely adaptable, depending on what you have on hand. It’s really just about the ratio: 3 cups of rolled oats and 4 cups of mix-ins. You can flavor these bars however you like. Chocolate chip and mini marshmallows, peanut butter chips and dried banana, or you can do what I did: throw in a bag of trail mix. Then, just for fun, some extra sesame seeds:
I also added rice krispies, you know, for that added snap, crackle and pop!
Mix everything in a bowl. Then add 1/8 cup of molasses and 1 can of (gasp!) sweetened condensed milk. Since I’m a big fan of peanut butter, I also added a 1/2 cup of the stuff to the mix. It gave it a nice consistency, and added that slightly nutty flavor to each bite.
Press everything into a greased pan (or if you don’t like cleanup, a pan lined with parchment paper). I used a standard sized baking sheet and came up a little short. For future life, I think I’ll either use a 9x13 pan and have slightly thicker bars, or increase the ratios and add a little more molasses and peanut butter!
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned. Cool on a rack, but remember to cut them into bars while they’re still warm. Maybe 15 or so minutes after you pull them out of the oven.
Cutting them once they’re completely cooled will pretty much turn your bars into granola bits.
Yes, the first time I made these, I learned the hard way. It was great in yogurt, though!
Once they’re fully cooled, you can wrap them up in waxed paper and dole em’ out to hungry kickballers and screaming fans.
TIP: In order to avoid a smoky kitchen, remember that there’s a difference between parchment paper and waxed paper. While in some cases, when there’s no direct heat (ie: the bottom of a cake pan), waxed paper can be used in the oven. However, once exposed to direct heat, like on a baking sheet for cookies, at 420 degrees or more, it will start to melt and smoke.
I'll tell you from personal experience that wax coated cookies and an oven full of smoke can be pretty chaotic!
Here’s the recipe, go wild and create your own mash-up!
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 4 cups mix-ins (chocolate chips, cereal, nuts, dried fruit, dried coconut, etc.)
- 1/8 cup of molasses
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet (or line with parchment paper)
Stir rolled oats and mix-ins together in one bowl and add the molasses, sweetened condensed milk, and peanut butter in another. Stir until smooth and combine with dry ingredients.
Press mixture into the greased pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes. The top should be slightly brown. Let cool on racks for about 15 minutes, then cut into bars. Cool completely and wrap in waxed paper.
Feed to ravenous kickballers, coworkers and friends!
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