A Very Seedy, Gooey, Sticky, Oat Bar

These bars are like a soft brittle (I know soft and brittle are just opposites), sticky, gooey and sweet. I certainly don't think they are very healthy but do satisfy any craving you might have for something sweet. Warning: They are addictive, but it would not be advisable to eat too many....hard as that may be!
Ingredients
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons water
3/4 cup brown sugar (I told you it was sweet)
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup flax meal
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Measure all the dry ingredients (EXCEPT the sugar) in a bowl.
2. Bring to a slow boil, the butter, sugar, molasses, and water. Simmer for about 5 minutes
3. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Pour into a 9X13 inch pan lined with parchment paper

5. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and score into squares the size of your choosing. Let sit for 15 minutes than return to over and bake for another 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to cool. They will firm up a bit as they cool. Break into the pre-scored squares.  Store in an airtight container.

Low Sugar Granola Wholewheat Muffins

These muffins are not as sweet as others I have on my site. The good thing about that is if you want to make it sweeter, you can spread the muffin with a low sugar, or no sugar added spread to bring it up to your taste. The muffins are rich in fiber since I have used flax meal, granola, oatmeal and wholewheat flour. While not as gigantic in size as a true breakfast muffin, it does provide a satisfying snack.

Ingredients 

1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

½ cup flax meal

½ cup oatmeal

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (I use Colombian Panela Redonda)

1 tablespoon molasses

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon allspice

1 cup prepared granola ( I use my homemade Chocolate Caramel Toffee Granola, also on this site)

½ large granny smith apple, peeled and coarsely shredded

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup vegetable oil

¾ cup yogurt

¾ cup half and half

1 tablespoon lemon juice

 Directions 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Insert Jumbo muffin liners into a 12 piece muffin tin.   

2. Whisk together all of the dry ingredients, including the granola. 

3. Gently warm the half and half mixed with the vanilla, molasses and brown sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool. 

4. Peel and shred the apple. Add the lemon juice to this and set aside. 

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, yogurt until combined. Add to this, the half and half mixture and mix until combined. Add in the apple and lemon juice and quickly add to the dry ingredients, stirring just enough to combine (you will see bubbles forming in the batter at this stage due to the reaction between the lemon juice and the soda). 

6. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them 2/3 full. 

7. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with additional granola, if desired. 

8. Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of one of the center muffins comes out clean. Cool on a rack.