Creating raisin and honey nut bars with European Corinthian black raisins sounds like a delicious and nutritious snack! Here's a recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups European Corinthian black raisins
- 1 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews), roughly chopped
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking dish or pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
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Toast Nuts and Oats:
- Spread the rolled oats and mixed nuts evenly on a baking sheet.
- Toast them in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
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Prepare the Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted oats, mixed nuts, and European Corinthian black raisins.
- In a small saucepan, heat the honey, almond butter (or peanut butter), melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt over medium heat. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
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Combine and Press:
- Pour the warm honey mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl.
- Stir until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan.
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Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
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Cool and Slice:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.
- Place them on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice them into bars or squares.
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Enjoy:
- Your raisin and honey nut bars with European Corinthian black raisins are now ready to enjoy!
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
These bars make for a wholesome snack or quick breakfast on the go, packed with the natural sweetness of European Corinthian black raisins and the crunch of mixed nuts. Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other ingredients like seeds, coconut flakes, or chocolate chips!