Cherry Chocolate Caramel Granola Bars

This is a healthy snack. That is full of protein, antioxidants, low is sugar. My daughter says she doesn't like cherries and she really liked these. She even packed some for work. These are healthy enough to eat for breakfast too.  

Caramel

Ingredients

1 C canned coconut milk (full fat)
1/4 C honey
2 T coconut oil
1/2 C chia seeds
1/2 C unsweetened shredded coconut
2 C old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 C dried cherries chopped up small
1/2 C dark chocolate chips chopped in small pieces

Directions   makes 16

1. Pour into small saucepan milk, honey, and oil . Stir on medium heat. You may want to have on medium low part of the time. Be careful to not let it burn.  Cook and stir often. It should be cooked down until it becomes very thick. Like the picture above. It is soft ball stage.
2. In a medium sized bowl pour in chia, coconut, oatmeal, and cherries. Stir together until all combined.
3. Pour hot caramel over the oatmeal mixture. Stir until completely mixed together.
4. Fold in the chips.
5. Pour into square parchment lined pan or greased. Press mixture down with the spatula.
6. Place in fridge to harden. Cut into 16 squares. Store in air tight container in the fridge.

6 Grain Rolled Oats Granola Bars

I am always looking for new ways to use oatmeal and nuts. Some of my favorite things to eat. I have been looking for a better way to make granola bars. I really liked these. In fact a little too much. =)

They are great wrapped up, so you can pack them for lunches or snacks. They are already to grab.

Ingredients:

3/4 C honey
1/2 C coconut oil
1 1/2 to 2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C sesame seeds
3 C 6 grain rolled oats or oatmeal
1 C almonds chopped
1/2 C pumpkin seeds
1/2 C unsweetened coconut
1/4 C ground flax seed
1 tsp almond extract :)
optional* choc. chips or dried fruit

Directions:

1. In a pot on the stove on med heat, pour in honey, oil and cinnamon. Stir until all combined for 5 min. (I wanted it to thicken) .

2. Then pour in the remaining ingredients. except for almond extract. Stir on med low for another 3-5 min.

3. Then put on cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or greased. Then press it down with a spatula. I put into the fridge to harden up.

4. Cut into granola size bars. Wrap in plastic. Store in the fridge till ready to eat! Yum!