Monday, March 14, 2011

Macadamia Coconut Granola Bars


We did it!  The show was a resounding success.  Our last post detailed the last minute sewing, rhinestoning and general chaos that led up to the big day, the beginning of Liv's Competition Dance Season, and I'm here to say that it was all worth it.  

Liv and Molly ready for the Magic number!
My girl hit the stage a-glitter with all those beautiful (hand applied) sparkling rhinestones (I have currently have a great amount of appreciation for sparkle), the sash with my less than perfect stitches that didn't fall off and the hats and headbands that stayed together with large amounts of hidden gorilla glue and red duct tape.  She and her dance team members rocked the stage and brought many of us moms to tears in the process.

Liv and Ellie ready to hit the stage.  Liv's sash almost looks like a pro sewed it on!
Now that the costumes are complete, the real fun begins.  The team will travel the region in hopes of a trophy or two between now and the final competition, Nationals, on the stage in Vegas in early July.  Friday they will hit the road again with costume bags and makeup kits in hand as the first competition sets off.  They are ready!

Yesterday's performance was sort of a dry run for our studio and the girls danced for the community.  In between shows our tireless Booster Club put on a BBQ for the dancers and their families asking each family to provide a side or dessert.  Our assignment was dessert and I had it all planned - Macarons from Jill Colona's book Mad About Macaroons.  However time slipped away and the macarons didn't happen (coming soon!), but thankfully Carolyn of All Day I Dream About Food posted the ideal treat.  Wanting to provide the girls with something a bit sweet, but also something that would fuel them for the next show Carolyn's Granola Bars fit the bill.  Her description, "These are to die for", had me more than comfortable making them without a dry run.  She was right.

Macadamia nuts, crystallized ginger, coconut and dried mangoes brought a tropical flair to our grain filled bars while the rolled oats and golden flax meal provided much needed energy producing nutrition.  Honey and brown sugar lent the perfect amount of sweetness bringing us the ideal dancer treat.  Easy to toss together and filled with nutritional goodness along with a touch of sweetness these bars will be a regular in our household.  Thanks Carolyn, these bars are indeed to die for!!



Macadamia Coconut Granola Bars
adapted from Carolyn, All Day I Dream About Food

2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1 cup macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped (I used salted nuts)
1 cup dried mangoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
1/3 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp water

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper (I used foil), leaving an overhang on the ends for easy removal and cleanup. Grease parchment paper/foil.

In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flax seed meal, macadamias, mangoes, ginger, coconut and salt.

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter, sugar and honey together. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

Add butter mixture to oat mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. Spread mixture evenly in pan and press down firmly. Use the flat-bottom of a measuring cup if you have one.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes (they will be very soft), then lift bars out using edges of parchment. Let cool for another 20-30 minutes. Cut carefully into bars using a serrated bread knife.

35 comments:

  1. They look like they are definitely to die for. Liv looks beautiful. How fun!

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  2. Your version looks fantastic! I know you have a macadamia nut obsession of late, so glad you changed them up to suit your taste. Looks like Liv and her troupe are ready to take the dancing world by storm!

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  3. Aw! They look so sparkly and adorable :D ...and the girls look beautiful, too ;) ha!

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  4. Bravo to the girls! They look awesome. You did a great job with the outfits Kim! One of the reasons I chose Tae Kwon Do (other than the fact that I don't have a girlie girl) is that the uniforms are provided; no sewing required.

    I'm seeing a lot of these granola bar recipes lately. I did see Carolyn's and it's in my bookmarked list. You did an outstanding job with them too.

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  5. These bars look wonderful! And the girls look so happy! :D I love it!

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  6. Your granola bars look so yum! I love, love mangoes!

    Liv looks so beautiful in her costume! I heart sparkle! I'm sure watching her perform was worth the hours of painstakingly sewing on rhinestones!

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  7. Amazingness, as always, Kim :-) You and Liv both rocked it! Have fun with all the traveling and mayhem. You know you love it ;-)

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  8. Grats on the show and the great recipe!

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  9. These bars look delicious! I will try them with gluten free oats....Good luck to your daughter and her team! I am immersed in softball and baseball right now w/ my kids. Sounds like you will have a very busy spring and summer!

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  10. These look so yummy and I just love hearing about your daughters dance adventures. :)

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  11. Fantastic recipe and beautiful photos! I love how girls look..they are so adorable!

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  12. The girls were gorgeous!!!!
    And your granola bars are to die for...So yummmi!

    Kisses
    Rita

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  13. I still haven't made granola bars yet; maybe I should try these out! What kind of texture do they have? Are they more chewy, or more crunchy? Congratz to Liv and good luck this season. :)

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  14. Oh they're just gorgeous! The granola bars look good too ;)

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  15. Good Luck to Liv and her team in the upcoming competitions. With those gorgeous costumes and and endless energy from the granola bars, they can't loose. Love the mango, macadamia, coconut combo in your granola bars. Great pictures,, as always.

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  16. Love the costumes! Your granola bars look fantastic too!

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  17. Those are so amazing, I need to make those for snacks at work. So good! Best of luck to Liv in the competitions! She is going to do awesome!

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  18. I bet Liv loves these granola bars during her breaks from dancing! I would love them too. I don't know why I still haven't made granola bar myself.
    Congratulations to both for kicking off the competition season!

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  19. Anything with coconut and mangoes are a winner in my book!

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  20. Cute, lovely post and fabulous bars.... have to try to make them , thanks:)

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  21. Liv looks fantastic in her costumes and it sounds like you will be one busy mom the next few months :o)
    Your granola bars, just like Carolyn's look amazing. I've already bookmarked the original version, but yours with the tropical flair make me weak in the knees as well. Since we eat a lot of granola bars around here, I think I will have to make both versions. ;o)

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  22. Sounds like Liv and her pals deserved every morsel of these lovely treats. I am from the staple and stickytape school of sewing so I feel your pain in getting the costumes together. Well done! Great flavours in these granola bars, I have a weakness for mango and ginger.

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  23. Looks gorgeous- loved the recipe (definitely a must try for me!)

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  24. Liv is just gorgeous!! Best of Luck, beautiful!

    You did such a yummy job with those bars... that photo is about to jump at me! ...I wish!

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  25. Kim-Your first photo of the granola bars look so beautiful with the rose background, that it should be framed.
    Love the combination, of the fruit, and the crunchiness.
    Liv and the troupe look like they were having so much fun! They look beautiful...love the gorgeous costumes, as well.
    Thanks for sharing your recipe and lovely photos!

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  26. Wow does Liv know how to rock a rhinestone and wow do your granola bars look amazing.

    Thank you so much for the lovely post, photography and recipe!

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  27. The only thing that could outshine the granola bars, was the awesomeness of the girls. They look adorable in their dance outfits!

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  28. Oh my goodness! Those sound amazing!!! And Liv looked gorgeous!

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  29. Macadamia and coconut...like a little bite of Hawaii! These look so good...and good-for-you as well...

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  30. Macadamia, coconut, and ginger...oh that sounds good. Wonderful pics!

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  31. Your daughter looked gorgeous. You did a fabulous job with the costumes and the cookies. The combination can't be beat and you granola bars look wonderful as well. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  32. Very nice granola bar recipe. I love granola for my breakfast!

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  33. Great granola. The kids are adorable.

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  34. J'aime vraiment votre article. J'ai essaye de trouver de nombreux en ligne et trouver le v?tre pour être la meilleure de toutes.

    Mon francais n'est pas tres bon, je suis de l'Allemagne.

    Mon blog:
    credits personnels et simulation de rachat de credit

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