Welcome to Simply Sugarless, our monthly sugar-free recipe column written by Starr Struck's own Sara Meeks. Once per month, Sara picks a "regular" recipe and adapts it into a sugar-free version of that same recipe using only natural sweeteners (fruit, sweet veggies, etc.). A perfect option for those trying to eat less added sugar on a daily basis... Have you ever looked at the ingredients that go into most granola bars? Even the “healthy" ones? It’s horrifying. Having said that, my kids (and I) love them and they’re such an easy go-to snack. I’ve been tempted several times to make my own but just never had the motivation…until now. The granola bars in the recipe below aren’t as cheap as the ones you can find on the grocery store shelf, and they’re not quite as convenient as just ripping open packaging to enjoy, but let me tell you, these bars are delicious. I was convinced that my chocolate-granola-bar-loving-self wouldn’t be satisfied with these, but boy was I wrong. They might just be the perfect combination of sweet (thanks honey and dates) + savory + satisfying. If you can get up the motivation to give them a try, you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy! ALMOND COCONUT GRANOLA BARS Cooking time: 20 minutes prep time, 5 minutes cooking, 25 minutes total time Yield: 12 bars Ingredients:
Directions:
{Created by modifying this recipe.} MEET SIMPLY SUGARLESS: Each month, I’ll be scouring the internet and my own personal recipe box for simple, sugarfree recipes that you can make without a bunch of exotic (and expensive) ingredients. I’m not suggesting that all the recipes will be super healthy (we’re still talking about baked goods and sweets, people), but I promise the recipes highlighted will be *healthier* versions of delicious treats, yummy snacks, and long-time favorite eats. My goal here is to completely avoid refined white sugar and/or any of the artificial sweeteners that are usually present in sugar-free recipes. I’m also going to try my very hardest not to use any super-sugary syrup substitutes like honey and agave (although maple syrup and molasses might make a cameo every now and then because they have a few more beneficial qualities in the form of vitamins + minerals). And one final note: you’ll notice that the recipe is listed right at the top of this post. Does it drive anyone else crazy when you have to scroll down forever to reach the actual recipe on most websites? Hope this intentional formatting makes your life just a bit easier ;)
Wow, I am *SO* impressed by these. They look like real granola bars! I know that's the point, but as a non-skilled cook/baker, I'm still always surprised when things look just like the things they're supposed to look like (hehe)! Hope having a baby will give me the motivation to make healthy snacks like these... ;) Thanks for sharing, Sara! Comments are closed.
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HELLO!I'm Mary Catherine, a Cape Cod-based yoga teacher, painter, designer, writer, mom, and list-maker extraordinaire. My goal is to inspire you to start living a more creative, simple, joyful, + purposeful life.
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