Pineapple, Coconut & Pecan Chewy Granola Bars

Dave is leaving for snowy and cold Manitoba for a business trip so I thought I would send him with a few snacks since he will have limited choices where he is staying. Right away my mind went to a chewy granola bar. They would be perfect; delicious, filling and somewhat healthy. I researched a few recipes and found this one by King Arthur Flour, I've always had pretty good luck with their recipes so I decided to give it a try. Boy was that a good choice. I cannot put into words how good these are. They were pretty good the night I baked them but overnight the flavors developed  into something incredible. They are the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy, sweet and salty. I found myself cutting off a small piece every time I went into the kitchen until I had eaten the very generous sized bar I cut them into. Honestly I had to make myself stop eating them or I could've eaten the whole pan. These are incredibly adaptable to your liking and to what you have on hand. Change out the nuts, fruits, sweetener, etc. the sky is the limit. I already have plans to make a batch with apricots, cherries and pepitas. The original recipe calls for something called sticky bun sugar, which I had never heard of so I used the provided substitution of corn syrup and more melted butter.

Pineapple, Coconut and Pecan Chewy Granola Bars

Recipe by King Arthur Flour

Printable Recipe

1 2/3 cups quick rolled oats

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup oats that have been ground in food processor

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional

2 to 3 cups dried fruits and nuts ( I used dried pineapple, coconut flakes & pecans)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil (I used butter)

1/4 cup  honey, maple syrup or corn syrup ( I used honey)

2 Tablespoons corn syrup

1 tablespoon water

1/3 cup of nut butter, optional ( I used cashew butter)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line a 8x8 pan with parchment. Stir together all of your dry ingredients, including the fruit and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla, butter, honey, corn syrup, nut butter and water. Add your dry into the wet and mix to combine. Press mixture into your prepared pan and bake for 25 -30 minutes until golden brown around the edges.

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