Homemade granola bars
A healthy departure from the traditional Rice Krispy treat, these homemade granola bars utilize a buttery marshmallow binder to glue together Raisin Bran, Hemp Hearts and sunflower seeds. This recipe can be made vegan by substituting Earth Balance and Dandies vegan marshmallows.
Granula, an old-timey version of the granola that we know today, was invented in Dansville, New York, by Dr. James Caleb Jackson at the Jackson Sanitarium in 1863. The Jackson Sanitarium was a prominent health spa on a hillside overlooking Dansville that remained in operation well into the early 20th century. It was also known as Our Home on the Hillside, and the company that formed to sell Jackson’s cereal became known as the Our Home Granula Company. Granula was composed of Graham flour and was similar to an oversized form of Grape-Nuts.
Homemade granola bars
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1 1/2 teaspoons maple-flavored extract (optional)
5 cups Raisin Bran
1 cup Hemp Hearts
1 cup dry roasted sunflower seeds
1 cup chia seeds, sesame seeds or a combination of both
Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. In a large saucepan set over low heat cook the maple syrup and butter until melted and bubbly. Add the marshmallows and cook, stirring often until they are melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Mix in the remaining ingredients, stirring until combined and well coated. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press into place with a large square of wax paper or our favorite tool – clean slightly wet hands. Cool completely. Cut into desired size bars. Store in covered containers between layers of wax paper.