Bake-a-thon part 2

Hello Blogosphere! It has been far tooooo long. I apologize for the delay. With out further ado, I bring you the best home made granola bars on the face of the planet.

Wait? There is no picture...yup they did not last long enough for a picture. In fact, the hubby has since gotten this care package and they lasted all of 2-3 days. They are that addicting. What is in them you say? Absolute goodness! That is what.

In all actuality, they are very customizable. I did the first batch that I sent in the care package with peanut butter, dried blueberries, dried apples, and dried cranberries. The second batch that I had to make for me I did a holiday theme with cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pumpkins spice, almond butter and dried apples. And if you haven't had warm granola bars you don't know what you are missing! Annie and I had to designate a section of warm granola bars that would not be sent to GI John.



The best home made granola bars ever

1 2/3 cup of plain oatmeal
1/3 cup oat flour (ground oatmeal oats until fine)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon (I add a 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for my holiday mix)
2-3 cups of fruit, seeds and nuts (I always do a ratio of 1 cup nuts to 2 cups dried fruit)
1/3 cup of almond butter or peanut butter (You can make almond butter in a food processor really simply and it is sooooo worth it)
8 table spoons of butter
1/4 cup of honey
1 tablespoon of water

Mix everything together in a bowl. Using parchment paper in a loaf/brownie pan or even a cake pan for a thin variety, pour and spread the mix into the pan. Then bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.



Nothing is more simple and elegant than a tea cookie. They are ridiculously simple and just a touch of sweetness. Perfect with lemonade on a hot summer evening and a good book. They are ridiculously simple to make and will last up to a week in the fridge and longer in the freezer. Traditonally you are supposed to make them like ice box cookies in a log, but at the time I was sans a rolling pin.


Cranberry Almond Tea Cookies
2 sticks of butter
2/3 cups of powdered sugar
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons of almond extract
2 cups of flour
1/2 cup of cranberries

Beat butter until smooth and add the powder sugar. Slowly, beat in the yolk, extract, and cranberries. Roll into a log and slice (or if you are feeling particularly lazy scoop with a spoon). Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes and top with powder sugar. Enjoy :)



If you or some one you know would like to send a letter, candy, beanie babies or care packages to our troops please visit Operation Gratitude's website: operationgratitude.com. They can connect individuals who want to adopt a solieder or beanie baby donators to soliders in need. And I know the beanie babies sound silly, but the troops use them to get information from children about explosives. These unwanted toys can save lives. Please take a minute and visit their site.