7 Layer Bars

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter

- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 8 graham crackers, pulsed in food processor)

- 1.5 cups milk chocolate chips 

- 1 cup white chocolate chips

- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

- 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

- 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-Melt butter in small bowl- then add graham cracker crumbs

-After mixing butter and graham crackers together, press evenly into the bottom of an 8x8 pan

-Layer coconut, pecans, chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips on graham base in 2 layers

-Pour sweetened condensed milk over whole mixture to help "glue" it all together

-Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until coconut starts to brown on top

-Allow pan to cool for an hour or so, then cut into squares

*Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Basic Granola

**adapted from Epicurious

You will need:
-3 cups old-fashioned oats
-1 cup coarsely chopped almonds (I used slivered, though any type would be fine.)
-1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
-3 tablespoons (packed) light brown sugar
-3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/4 teaspoon (generous) salt
-1/3 cup maple syrup
-2 tablespoons vegetable oil


Directions:
-Preheat oven to 300°F. 
-Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
-Mix first 7 ingredients in large bowl. 
-Stir maple syrup and oil in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Pour mixture over oat mixture and toss.
-Spread on prepared sheet and bake until golden, stirring every 10 minutes, about 40 minutes. 
-Remove sheet from oven and allow granola to cool. 
-Add to yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, or just eat plain!

Thick and Chewy Granola Bars

**Recipe from Smitten Kitchen

This is the second time I have made these, and I have to say that this might be the most amazing granola bar recipe ever. You can put anything in it - chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, peanuts), dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots), coconut flakes, or chocolate chips. I guarantee any combination would be great!

You will need:
-1 2/3 cups quick cooking oats
-1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (if you prefer a mildly sweet bar, use closer to 1/2 cup)
-1/3 cup of oat flour (easily made by putting quick oats in a food processor or by mashing up 1/3 cup in a bowl with a spoon.)
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp cinnamon
-2 to 3 cups of dried fruit, chopped nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, etc. (I used 1 cup of Craisins and 1 cup of walnuts)
-1/3 cup peanut butter
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-6 tbsp unsalted, melted butter
-1/4 cup honey, maple syrup, or corn syrup
-2 tbsp corn syrup
-1 tbsp water

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 if using a glass dish).
-Lightly grease an 8x8 or 9x5 baking dish or pan.
-In large bowl, stir together all dry ingredients (including the fruits and nuts).
-In a smaller bowl, mix together melted butter, liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup or corn syrup), vanilla, peanut butter, and water.
-Toss the dry ingredients with the wet until the mixture is combined and crumbly.
-Spread in baking pan or dish, making sure that mixture is pushed down evenly and into the corners.
-Bake 30-40 minutes until edges are brown. It is OK for the top to brown a bit as well.
-Cool the bars completely in the pan (about 1-2 hours), and cut into bars once cooled.

Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies

**Adapted from Beantown Baker


You will need:
-2 and 1/3 cups flour
-1 tsp baking soda
-3/4 tsp salt
-12 tbsp unsalted butter
-1 cup packed brown sugar
-1/2 cup granulated sugar
-2 large eggs
-2 tsp vanilla
-2 cups pretzel sticks (broken into coarse pieces)
-1 cup chocolate chips
-1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt
-In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars
-Beat in eggs and vanilla until creamy
-Slowly add flour mixture to butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla
-Once mixed, fold in pretzels and chocolate chips
-Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheet
-Bake 10-11 minutes and transfer to wire rack to cool