Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars

by Erin

Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned the care package I sent to my brother and sister-in-law just in time before their first child was born? And that the contents went with them to the hospital? Ok you probably don’t remember but here are the granola bars which satisfied their bellies while waiting for Luke to enter into the world.

Knowing that Kate is a chocolate freak, I decided to use the Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter from Peanut Butter & Co. in the making of these bars. And it was the correct choice. When it is never not a good idea to combine chocolate and peanut butter anyway? I even crumbled one of them up in some vanilla Greek yogurt. Oh yea.

Speaking of Luke, I get to meet him in 23 days!! He has been going through a big cuddler phase lately and I hope it hangs around. Kate says he seems to be getting even more cuddly as time goes on, so he might be Velcro by the time I am there. Totally okay with that, until I have to leave and be cuddle-deprived. Did I mention that he is already a sharp dresser as well? Just look at that fabulous bowtie!

One year ago: Bacon-Corn Fritters

DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS

Makes 16 bars

Ingredients:

2 cups dry rolled oats

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

1/3 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup chopped peanuts

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup Peanut Butter & Co.’s Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter

1/4 cup honey, plus more if needed

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick spray, set aside.
  2. Combine oats, flax, wheat germ, salt, nuts and chocolate chips in a bowl and mix. Add peanut butter and mix with 2 spoons, coating as much as you can. Eventually you may need to mix with your hands – I did this to create more of a dough.
  3. Add honey slowly and coat thoroughly. If the granola won’t stick together, add more honey 1 teaspoon at a time and really mix with your hands.
  4. Press dough into prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares (2×2-inch), or bars (1×4-inch).

Source: Adapted slightly from How Sweet It Is.

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17 comments

Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust April 30, 2012 - 9:53 pm

Okay, I can’t get enough of that photo. That tie is hilarious! Makes him look dignified, I think. And these granola bars – yum!

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Tracey April 30, 2012 - 2:12 pm

I can barely handle the cuteness that is Luke! Look at that bow tie – I die! The granola bars look delicious. I have yet to try this dark chocolate peanut butter, but it sounds perfect!

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spiffycookie April 30, 2012 - 2:22 pm

I know I cannot wait to squeeze him in person… not too hard though.

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Carolyn April 29, 2012 - 4:41 pm

What a cutie! And what fantastic granola bars…

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Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers April 26, 2012 - 9:19 pm

Ahhh he’s so cute!!! The granola bars look amazing!! I could eat the whole pan!!

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Beth April 26, 2012 - 4:06 pm

Is it possible to make this as just granola and not bars? Would you reduce the honey? Thanks!

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spiffycookie April 26, 2012 - 8:09 pm

You most certainly can! Instead of packing it into a pan, distribute evenly over a bigger baking pan and bake, stirring halfway through. I am not sure about reduced honey but it’s possible.

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Kristina April 26, 2012 - 3:39 pm

Aw he is too cute!!! omygosh! Those granola bars sound perfect too :) I just discovered that Peanut Butter & Co’s pb and it is sooo good, love the dark chocolate combo!

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Kate April 26, 2012 - 12:59 pm

speaking from experience, the granola bars were AMAZING! I’m actually wondering what I have to do to get another care package. In other news, velcro might just be right, I am currently the happy recipient of some cuddles from a passed out mr. luke himself!

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spiffycookie April 26, 2012 - 1:09 pm

Envious!

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Kita April 26, 2012 - 12:56 pm

Bow ties are awesome! And so is delicious granola…I do get addicted when I make granola bars in my house.

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Jen @ Juanita's Cocina April 26, 2012 - 11:45 am

Oh my. I don’t know what I’m more excited about…the baby or the bars! LOL!

I want to cuddle and smoosh him AND enjoy these all at the same time!

Have fun with that little one. We need pics!

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Renee @ Tortillas and Honey April 26, 2012 - 11:31 am

That jar of dark chocolate dreams keeps taunting me whenever I go to the grocery store… this recipe isn’t helping, so I may just have to give in soon. :-) This recipe looks like it’s right up my alley. And little Luke is so adorable, gotta love that bow tie!!

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Surkhab April 26, 2012 - 10:50 am

Wow Baby is cute :-)

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Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray April 26, 2012 - 9:40 am

These look a-maz-ing. And you *know* how huge a fan I am of that Dark Chocolate Dreams–I think that I need these in my life, stat. And don’t even get me started on the baby in the bow tie. So cute!!

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Living The Sweet Life April 26, 2012 - 8:08 am

What a daper looking gentleman ;) lol … he’s such a cutiepie.
Erin, you know you kill me with these peanut butter combo – – I’m considering growing peanuts since it might be cheaper than actually buying peanut butter the way that I do .. lol.

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spiffycookie April 26, 2012 - 8:44 am

Hahah I do make a lot of pb/choc things O:-)

Reply

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