Blueberry and Date Granola Bars
BLUEBERRY AND DATE GRANOLA BARS
12 Granola Bars
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 4 mins
Total Time: 9 mins
Ingredients:
Blueberry Granola :
1 cup blueberry jam
1 lemon (zested, juiced)
3 cups puffed whole grain cereal
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Blueberry Granola Bar:
1 batch Blueberry Granola (recipe above)
1 cup pitted dates (roughly chopped)
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
Peanut Butter Drizzle:
1 cup unsweetened, natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup water (boiling water)
Directions:
For the Blueberry Granola:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and spray parchment with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the blueberry jam, lemon zest and juice. Allow to cook until mixture has reduced to a sauce-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Using an immersion blender or regular blender, blend until smooth.
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, sliced almonds and salt. Drizzle 1/2 of the blueberry syrup over cereal mixture and toss to coat thoroughly. Remove granola to prepared baking sheet and place in the center rack of the oven and bake until toasted, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely. Lower the oven temperature to 325ºF.
For the Blueberry Granola Bars:
Line a 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing the ends to overhang. Set aside.
In a large bowl, add blueberry granola and set aside.
In a small medium bowl, add the chopped dates and cover with the hot water. Allow to soak until dates have softened, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the dates and water to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and pulse until smooth. Season with salt.
Add the date puree and coconut oil to the blueberry granola, stirring to coat thoroughly. Transfer granola mixture to the prepared baking dish, and using a rubber spatula, press the granola firmly into the dish. Place in the center rack of the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely. Remove the granola from the baking dish by using the leaves of parchment paper to help lift it out. Slice granola block into bars and set aside.
For the Peanut Butter Drizzle:
Add peanut butter to a medium bowl. Whisk in boiling hot water until smooth and can drizzle. Remove mixture to a piping bag or zip-top bag. Snip the tip or corner of the bag and drizzle over the individual granola bars and serve!
Tip: Stir in your favorite mix of nuts and dried fruits for an extra-special surprise in your granola bars!
