Beth's Granola Bites

1 tsp of cinamon

1 tsp of vanilla extract

3 tbs of agave nectar

3 tbs of honey

3 tbs of light brown sugar

3 tbs of butter (I used Smart Balance)

2 tbs of almond or peanut butter

2 egg whites

2 cups of oats (it should be fairly dry but coated nicely-add more if needed)

1/4 cup of coconut flakes

3/4 cup of chopped walnuts

a cup of dried cherries

a cup of dark chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a saucepan on medium to low heat, mix the cinamon, vanilla extract, agave nectar, honey, light brown sugar and butter and heat through so that it’s all melted. Add almond butter and mix to melt through.

Pour liquid mixture in a mixing bowl. Add 2 egg whites, oats, coconut flakes, walnuts, a cup of dried cherries, and dark chocolate morsels. You may need to add more oats if the mixture is too moist but don’t add too many. The mixture should be lightly coated but loose. In a brownie size pan, lay parchment paper down and spread mixture throughout in a layer. Don’t use wax paper! It will melt! Flatten it out nicely with your fingers if you would like.

Bake for 30 minutes or until it turns a light golden brown on top and on the edges. Remove from the pan onto a cooling rack. Let sit for 2 hours. If you try to eat them before they are cool, they are likely to fall apart. Be patient!

These are great to eat on the go. Just wrap them up individually and either store them in the fridge for a week or freeze them for up to a month or so. They are really super easy and so much better than the store bought bars.  If you want to cut down on the sugar, I think you could use Splenda for baking. I just haven't tried it because Marty is anti-fake sugar. Of course, you don't need to use chocolate chips either. Put whatever you want in them! Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, pecans, or any small sized dried fruit such as dried blueberries and cranberries. You could also add flax seed and wheat germ. And leave out the coconut flakes and almond butter if you'd like. Enjoy!