Chocolate Granola Bars

A sunday morning, I was ready to watch the various new episodes from HIMYM, TBBT and Modern Family. I readied a mug of coffee in one hand, my laptop and phone in the other and held a slice of white bread in my mouth. (Greedy, i know)

Suddenly, the bread disappeared. Still hungry, I went back to the fridge but no snacks was at sight. I shut the fridge door, lowered my expectations and pry into the fridge a second time. (This usually works.) I watched the various 'potential' snacks at hand and ideas flew into my mind chanting "bake! bake! bake!"

It is only time before they pronounce my sanity doubtful, really. I started lining out the ingredients and the rest is history. 

Granola Bars. It is amazing how such simplicity and promptness turn out to be such a delicious snack.

 For extra fun, I lined up marshmallows and poured some cornflakes over as toppings.

Chewy Granola Bars 

(Adapted from AllRecipes)

Ingredients

• 245 g rolled oats
• 85 g all-purpose flour
• 3 g baking soda
• 3 ml vanilla extract
• 100 g butter, softened
• 100 ml condensed milk
• 20 g packed brown sugar
• 130 g miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 200 g raisins
• 15 g cocoa powder
• Marshmallows and cornflakes as toppings (Optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a 10 x 10 inch pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine  all the ingredients together.
3.  Press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes. (Add toppings as desired and bake for another 5 minutes.) Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

I replaced honey in the original recipe with condensed milk. Condensed milk is the definition of my childhood. Whilst most of you dipped your fingers into peanut butter, I dipped mine in condensed milk. Secretly of course. 

This granola bar is chocolatey, with a nutty oat and a cake texture to it. The golden raisin brings out a little bit of citrus and the combination of Cornflakes with marshmallows can never go wrong. All of this enveloped in a good amount of condensed milk, a taste that can hardly be explained. 

For those who'd prefer less chocolatey taste (although i wouldn't comprehend anyone who would prefer that), opt out the cocoa powder and you may consider milk powder or a pinch of cinnamon.

Bring out your inner child,

Jes