August 11, 2011

Cranberry-Almond Granola Bars

Did you know that Anchorage is the second-most diverse city in the U.S.?  It is.  Do you know what the first is??

Don't say NYC....don't say NYC...








It's Honolulu.

I've recently completed my 6 required graduate credits that will allow me to keep my job in the state of Alaska.  Alaska Cultures and Alaska Studies is what I've been doing.  This is the funny part...

It's my  job to teach Alaskan kids about their state.  The 4th grade curriculum is Alaska Studies.  Me, the Pennsylvania girl who loves history, gets to teach a kind of history she knows nothing about.  Fortunately, I had a manual, a great state mentor, and some museum field trips last year.  I learned a lot.  Probably more than the kids...which is a good thing considering that I'm the...teacher.

My preferred fields of history are Colonial American and WWII-era European. (go ahead, call me a nerd...i'll wait) I knew nothing about the state of Alaska before I started teaching Alaska history.  I feel like my brain has been expanded in the last year and all kinds of new information has been stirred into the mix.  I really like that feeling.

Speaking of knowledge and learning, this is a great back-to-school snack.  Store-bought granola bars scare me.  Making my own gives me a bit of peace of mind.   You should try it.



Cranberry-Almond Granola Bars

3 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup Craisins
1/3 cup chopped almonds

In the microwave, melt the peanut butter and honey together for 1 minute.  Stir together and add in the oats.  Stir well until they are all coated.  If needed, you can add more honey or peanut butter if the oats seem a little dry.  Add in the Craisins and almonds and mix well to combine.  Press into an 8x8 pan.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours before cutting into bars.  Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 



 
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3 comments:

  1. Kristin,
    I made these today and they were so YUM! I didn't have almonds so I used pecans and I also added dark chocolate chips I had! My boys loved them and we've shared them with two of our neighbors! Thanks for sharing with us! You are awesome! GO PENN STATE!

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  2. Thanks Heather! These were too easy! I thought about adding chocolate, but I've been eating enough chocolate lately :) Are you as excited for football season as I am???

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  3. Thanks so much for sharing with Momtrends for our Friday Food Linky. Love it a little geography lesson and a great snack bar. Have a great weekend.

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