Chewy Granola Bars

I love having little satisfying snacks on hand for when I am too busy with life to make food and I just want to grab something. This was my go-to snack after Annie was born. Something to hold me over and give me a bit of energy and I just had to thaw it out. These are versatile too if you want to play with flavor combos. Obviously you could do raisins instead of chocolate chips--just increase the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon. I also think the kids would enjoy these with "no chunky stuff" and some quick icing on top.

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 egg
• 1 cup flour (I use white whole wheat)
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1-1/4 cups rice crispies cereal

• ½ cup coconut (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts or pecans)
• 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the honey, vanilla and egg; mix well. Combine the flour, flaxseed, cinnamon, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats, cereal, coconut, nuts and chocolate chips.
• Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Yield 2 dozen.

I freeze the cut squares for a fast snack anytime, just pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds or so.

Adapted from Taste of Home

Home-made Graham Crackers

I came across this recipe in the cookbook 'From Emeril's Kitchens'. The kids love them (and so do the adults). They are reminiscent of shortbread. I intend to use them as the base of a smore's treat. I am going to recreate my favorite Disneyland treat (after I master marshmallow making!).

2 3/4 cups bread flour

1/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup water, plus 3 or 4 teaspoons

Preheat oven to 300.

Combine bread flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add butter, honey, vanilla, and 1/4 cup of water. Work the mixture until a stiff dough forms, adding more water as necessary, 1 teaspoon at a time. (I use my Kitchen-Aid with the paddle attachment for this).

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. Transfer to a large ungreased baking sheet. (It's easy to pick up the dough and move it). With the tines of a fork, prick the dough every 1/2 inch. Score into 3 1/2-inch x 4-inch rectangles. You should get at least 16 crackers.

Bake until golden brown, 25 minutes. Transfer the sheet of graham crackers to a wire rack to cool.

Cut into separate cookies.

Recipe from Emeril's New Orleans Restaurant

Power balls

Yeah, I don't like the name of this treat, either...we'll have to come up with our own new name for them I guess. Send your ideas my way!1 c. peanut butter
1 c. honey
3 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. raisins or other dried fruit
1/2 c. nuts or sunflower seeds, I prefer cashews
1/2c. flax seed meal
I also added in some rice krispies for crunch, these are really a free-for-all

For some reason I badly wanted to roll these in sesame seeds but I didn't have any...maybe next time!

Directions
Mix honey and peanut butter. Stir in oats, add in everything else and roll into balls. Put in fridge to firm.
Warning: Be careful if using your KitchenAid mixer, I bent my whisk attachment trying to incorporate all the ingredients! Then I broke my wooden spoon in half trying to stir the rest of the way. Maybe I'll just get in their with my hands next time...