GRANOLA BARS
Working a physically demanding job, it can be hard to find high-energy food in small packages. When I get home after a long day, I find myself ravenous and reaching for anything edible in the cupboards. These granola bars do just the trick - filling and easy to prepare for the week ahead.

INGREDIENTS

Makes 10

190g oats

75g dried cranberries

75g roasted salted cashews (or any kind of nut/seed you like)

75g dessicated coconut

75g dark chocolate chips

1/4tsp ground cinnamon

1/4tsp salt

60g butter

45g light brown sugar

125g honey

1/2tsp vanilla extract

METHOD

1

Preheat the oven to 170°C. Line a 7x7-inch baking tin with baking parchment and set aside.

2

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from the heat and stir in the sugar, honey and vanilla. Set aside.

3

In a large bowl, combine the oats, cranberries, cashews, dessicated coconut, chocolate chips, cinnamon and salt. Finally, pour in the butter and sugar mixture and stir until all the ingredients are evenly coated.

4

Press firmly into the prepared baking tin. It should be as compact as you can get it - otherwise it will fall apart when you take it out of the tin! Bake for 25 minutes.

5

Allow to cool completely for 3 hours at room temperature before cutting (otherwise it will likely fall apart!). Once cool, remove from the tin and chop into 10 big bars (or smaller, if you like).

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

icheffedit Tip #1

Instead of milk chocolate chips, feel free to use white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even fudge chunks.

icheffedit Tip #2