Cinnamon & Berry Granola Bars

When it comes to a healthy snack, you just can't beat a good bar of granola. Especially when the mixture consists of cinnamon and plenty of berries. This simple, easy to follow recipe makes granola-baking easy and they are perfect for breakfast, a mid-morning or late afternoon snack and after a workout. I love the soft flapjack texture with the sweet taste of cinnamon and berries that follow; add a morning cup of coffee into the equation, it's the perfect mix. Believe me when I say once you start granola-baking, you'll never look back... 

As the summer is fast approaching, it's time to think healthy and I know, putting nuts, seeds and berries into baked goods isn't everybodies cup of tea, but that's the beauty with granola, you can pretty much add or take away any ingredients that you want too; you could even give Mary Berry a run for her money... 

 Prep time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Makes: 12

GRANOLA INGREDIENTS:

• 100g Butter 
• 200g Porridge Oat 
• 100g Sunflower Seeds 
• 100g Sesame Seeds 
• 50g Chopped Walnuts 
• 3 Tbsp Clear Set Honey 
• 100g Light Muscovado Sugar 
• 2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon 
• 100g Dried Fruit {Cranberries, Blueberries, Cherries or a mix!}

HOW TO MAKE: 

1. Pre-heat oven at 160c (or fan 140c or gas mark 3 - pending on your style of oven!) 
2. Line your choosen baking dish with greaseproof paper and butter, in order to stop your granola from sticking to the baking dish. 
3. Mix up all your oats, seeds (sesame and sunflower) and nuts in a mixing bowl; once mixed pour into a deep roasting dish and place in the oven for 10 minutes until lighter toasted. 
4. Whilst your seeds, oats and nuts are turning golden, warm the butter, honey and sugar in a plan on a low heat, stirring until the butter has completely melted. 
5. Once melted, remove the oats from the oven and add into your melted butter, along with 2 teaspoons of Cinnamon and 100g of dried fruit; leave on the hob and mix until all the oats are well coated.
6. Once mixed, tip the content into your lined baking dish and press down lightly with a metal spoons until even. 
7. Bake for 30 minutes. 
8. After 30 minutes remove from the oven and leave to cool in the baking dish; once cooled remove from the baking dish and cut into twelve bars. 

Until the next baking bonanza, Au Revoir! 

Love, 

Lauren xo