gra-nola-ola-ola

3c. rolled oats
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3c. sweetener (molasses or agave or honey)
1/4c. canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
+ extras (almonds, coconut flakes, etc)

directions: Pre-heat oven to 300 degreees. First mix your dry goods: oats, brown sugar, salt & cinnamon. In a separate bowl mix your wet goods: sweetener, canola oil, and vanilla. Combine thoroughly, use your hands if necessary. Make sure the oats are evenly covered. Then spread the granola mix thinly on a baking sheet and place on the center rack. Bake, stirring everything 15 minutes, until the granola is golden brown. Anywhere from 20-30 minutes. cool the granola, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick. then add your extras!


about the recipe: this is the second time i've used this recipe to make granola. the first time i made it, i used agave nectar and this time i used molasses. i added almonds and coconut flakes to the mixture about halfway through baking so that they'd be toasted. i also used a tablespoon of vanilla because i wanted very vanilla flavored granola. i think next time i'll try maple syrup instead of molasses.

chocolate-coconut squares

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup melted butter (earth balance)
1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
1 cup. package flaked coconut
1 (12 ounce) package chocolate (or carob) chips
2 tablespoons peanut butter
chopped peanuts (to garnish)

directions: Preheat oven to 350. Prepare an ungreased 13x9" baking pan. Combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, flour and melted 'butter' and then press into ungreased baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Combine coconut flakes and coconut milk, mix, and spread over baked crust. Bake for another 10-12 minutes. Combine chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small saucepan. Cook, over low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Spread over coconut layer and garnish with chopped peanuts. Let cool and cut into bars.

about the recipe: the original recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, and i thought, "hey! i bet you i could just replace that with equal amounts coconut milk!" i was half right, while it tastes amazing, it didn't solidify making the bars a hard-coated chocolate coconut goo-mess, but they are goddamn delicious if i say so myself, and my roommates agree.