29 Days of Honey – Elul 5781 – Honey Granola Bars

I’ve challenged myself to post 29 honey recipes in the next month – BEFORE Rosh Hashana.

Not just your Bubbe’s honey cake. As a beekeeper and avid cook I can take you and your honey places you’ve never been before- culinarily speaking.

So let’s get Buzzin’.

Did you know that bees focus on specific tasks each day? Although tasks may change over the course of their brief life-span, bees determine their daily work assignments and stick to them. You can witness this yourself by observing bees at a single water or nectar source e.g. a fountain or specific plant. After about 5 minutes you’ll be able to recognize individual bees going back to their hive and returning. A fascinating book on bee behaviour and psychology is Dr. Tom Seeley’s book, “HoneyBee Democracy.”

I highly recommend it.

Sigh – I’m out of granola for my Honeyed Greek Yoghurt pick-me-up. Guess I’ll just have to make some. But all that mixing, baking, stirring, baking, stirring, burned petrified raisins… Make it stop, PLEASE. I just need something simple, sweet & crunchy that will get my focus back.

I didn’t plan on this, but thanks to a source recipe from our friend Shayna Z. I might make it through the day – WITHOUT burning the raisins.

Honey Granola Bars

You Will Need: 

• Oven
• Suitable pan, oiled or with baking paper
• Stand mixer w/paddle or large mixing bowl with suitable spoon
• 80g vegetable oil
• 130g Brown or demarara sugar
• 30 g Honey
• 1 Egg
• 20g Flax meal
• 135g Whole wheat flour
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 120g Quick oats
• 60g Rice cereal (the crispy kind)
• 60g blanched, slivered almonds
• 30g Each dried cranberries, white raisins, & toasted pecans – be creative here

How to do it: 

1. Thoroughly beat oil, cinnamon, cardamom, honey, vanilla, and egg
2. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt
3. Stir in the oats, cereal, and nut/raisin concoction
4. Press into a pan – slightly oiled hands will help here.
   • The size of the pan will impact your overall cooking time and texture. E.g. for thicker & softer granola bars select a smaller pan. As I was going for thin and crispy, my handy, huge wedding cake pan served quite well.
5. Bake at 180c for approximately 20 minutes (see note above) or until lightly browned.
6. Allow to cool 10 minutes in the pan
7. Turn out and slice into pieces.

Grab your yoghurt, or beverage of choice and enjoy. Store in an airtight container. They also freeze well and make a great gift.

Thanks, Shayna Z. I’ve got my focus back!

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