Recipe Bank

[bright sparks]

Someone suggested a recipe thread so I thought I would start off. Maybe it would be helpful if people started their posts with what type of recipe it is in bold so that people can skip through if they are looking for ideas in a specific area without having to read everything during their search. Hopefully we can just keep this thread going as a bank of sorts. So here goes...

SNACK..Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free

"No Bake Chewy Cocoa Granola Bars"

DRY INGREDIENTS
1 cup of crispy brown rice cereal
3/4 cup rolled oats. gluten free
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (I substitute with 1/4 cup chocolate chips)
2 packets powdered stevia

WET INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup coconut butter (not oil, look for the butter, should be in similar area)
1/3 cup creamed honey
1tsp vanilla extract

1. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl
2. Either in a pan on the stove or in microwave, combine wet ingredients and melt, takes approx. 1 minute, stirring
3. Pour into dry ingredients and stir well until combined.
4. Line a baking dish, brownie pan, with parchment hanging slightly over sides and spray with non-stick cooking spray or oil.
5. Pour mixture into dish and press down evenly with a spatula.
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes
7. Lift out slab with parchment overhang onto chopping board
8. Slice into squares or bars and wrap individually with clingwrap

This recipe could easily be adapted to not be gluten free which would reduce the cost lots. I substitute the cocoa for cacoa which makes these a whole lot healthier but more expensive too. The honey has to be creamed otherwise it won't hold the bars together properly. I also store the bars in the fridge which gives them a longer shelf life and keeps them together well. I make a double batch which makes 20 granola bars which last well in the fridge for 2 weeks. These hold up well in kids school lunches without an ice pack. Substituting the seeds for chocolate chips make these taste very close to store bought granola bars without any of the bad ingredients, my kids wouldn't eat them with the sunflower seeds in them.