Whether we stay home for lunch, go hiking, or take a lunch to school, 99% of the time there will be a granola bar involved.  I might even go so far as to say, my kids are addicted to granola bars!

We've tried many recipes for granola bars in the past, and this one is definitely a favorite.  I recently got Anni Daulters new cookbook, The Organic Family Cookbook, and like all of Anni's books, I fell in love as soon as I saw the cover!  Every single photo in Anni's book, and every recipe message makes me wish I were like her in every way.  She inspires me to want to feed my kids better, do more for the environment, and raise my kids in the country. And I'm a city girl in every way, but some people make me want to be a hippie.

With permission, Anni is letting me share her recipe for granola bars.

Granola Bar Recipe

• 2 cups whole grain oats
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 2 pinches sea salt
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon flax oil
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• mini chocolate nibs (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a ceramic or glass 9X13 inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.

Mix oats, sunflower seeds, cranberries, wheat germ, and almonds altogether in a bowl. Spread mixture on a sheet pan and toast in preheated oven for 8 minutes. Return mixture to a large bowl.

In a medium saucepan, combine salt, almond butter, honey, flax oil, brown sugar, and chocolate nibs. Bring to a boil over medium heat and immediately remove from heat. Pour over oats mixture and combine until dry ingredients are evenly coated.

Transfer to lined baking dish. Press mixture down and altogether by folding over parchment paper to press down.  Tear edges off of parchment paper so it does not cover the mixture when baking. Bake for 25 minutes.

Let cool for up to 2 hours and then cut and serve.

Makes 12 bars.

Unfortunately, this awesome cookbook hasn't been quite released yet, but you can pre-order at many bookstores including Amazon.  The book has tips for raising an environmentally conscious family, tips on choosing food, and tons of amazing looking recipes.  We are trying next, Pumpkin Spiced Cookies, Triple Berry Cream Cheese Tarts, Raw Vegan Apple Pie, Decadent Caramels, whole grain honey bread, and so much more! Check it out! You won't be disappointed.

Related posts:  Anni's Ice Pop Joy and Organically Raised