I do believe that everyone has a food that helps them forget, a comfort food if you will, one to turn to when your heart needs a little coddling or your busied mind a distraction in the form of something sweet on a plate. And I know this will seem odd, disappointing even, but the food I turn to in tough times is a granola bar.
I know, you were hoping for something more exciting. A triple tier cake perhaps? Or in the least a homestyle cobbler that looks and tastes just like the one mom used to make? Well, you're getting none of those things because though I'm sure my mom made cobbler, I mostly remember her making these bars. When I think of comfort food that's just like mom used to make, my mind turns to granola, and more specifically to these chewy, oat-strewn bars.
In my childhood home - and I expect the neighborhood I grew up in - my mom's granola bars were legendary but also utterly simple to make (recipes don't get much better than that). They are equal parts hearty and indulgent, all oaty and buttery at once, with subtle hints of molasses and cinnamon added for warmth. If I remember correctly, my mom served them on dainty glass plates with pretty scalloped edges; they were a snack time staple when we arrived home from school.
I'm long past needing an after-school snack and yet I make these bars every week (I have to admit, I usually eat one at breakfast and another for dessert; these bars crossover between am and pm beautifully).
In the last few years, I've tweaked the recipe again and again to keep things interesting. As I'm apt to do, I substituted applesauce for some of the butter to make them a tad healthier, and also to give them a hit of my favorite fruity flavor. And why we're on the subject of fruit: these bars make an excellent home for plump dried cranberries, golden raisins and apricots.
This morning I gave the bars a bit of crunch with a handful of slivered almonds - tomorrow, they're traveling south to soothe the soul of a sister who needs a little taste of home.
Mom's After-school Granola Bars
This isn't the original recipe (though I'll share it if you want it) but these are my version of my mom's granola bars. Think of this recipe as a blank template for your favorite mix-ins. Anything you'd toss in oatmeal cookies is fair game to swap for the dried fruit I call for here.
Makes approximately 9 bars
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon molasses
1 scant cup dark brown sugar
2 scant cups white whole wheat flour
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried fruit (I prefer equal amounts of cranberries, golden raisins and diced apricots)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the applesauce, butter, honey, molasses and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Add the dried fruit to the bowl and mix until it is evenly distributed.
Line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press the oat mixture into the pan until it is level and evenly spread. Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, until the bars are starting to turn golden brown around the edges. (The bars will look a bit soft in the center but will harden as they cool).
Let the bars cool, then cut them into squares and serve with a glass of milk. The leftovers will keep in an airtight container left on the counter for a few days, or in the freezer for a few weeks.
