Thursday, May 16, 2013

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Clusters

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Clusters
Shhh... don't tell Liv and her friends, but I made them chocolate clusters from their favorite Peanut Butter Granola for last weekend's dance competition.  Protein packed with peanut butter and filled with rolled oats, these crunchy clusters were the perfect snack to fuel them during those quick changes before they had to run back on stage.

Well, let me rephrase.  They would have been the perfect snack... if I hadn't eaten them all in the days before the event.

I had good intentions, really I did.  I prepped on Friday making the Peanut Butter Granola.  Low in fat and nutritionally boosted with egg whites and ground flax meal, the girls never really know that it's good for them and always ask for more.

Going for something special, I coated the granola with melted dark chocolate and the spread it out to set.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?)  Liv was at dance rehearsals, and I thought I should try one of the clusters.  You know, just to make sure it tasted OK.  So I did.  And then I did again, and then I did almost every time I walked by.

Saturday came, and luckily I still had plenty of the clusters to pack for our dance event on Sunday.  But, as the day wore on, I may have eaten more than my fair share.

Come Sunday morning  as I packed our food for the day, I realized I really didn't have enough of the clusters left to share, so I left the few remaining pieces home.  On Monday I finished them off realizing I hadn't shared them with anyone.

Hence, I have no recommendations from any of the dance girls or my fellow dance moms.  No one in my family had a try, and there's none left for for anyone to taste.  I'm thinking I might make more for them.  I only hope they actually get some this time...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Clusters

Peanut Butter Granola Clusters
Crunchy, peanut buttery and chocolaty... and oh so addicting.  I justified eating them with their nutritional ingredients, however the chocolate and sugar contents just might put them into the dessert category.
Peanut Butter Granola
Peanut Butter Granola

1 batch Peanut Butter Granola (Click for recipe)

1 1/4 cup chopped chocolate (I prefer dark)

Place prepared and cooled granola into a large bowl.  

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat on the stove (or alternatively use the microwave if that is your preference).

Pour the melted chocolate over the granola and stir to coat.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and pour the chocolate coated granola onto the paper.  With a spoon or spatula, spread the granola into about a 1/2-inch layer and allow to set.  Break the clusters in to pieces and enjoy.  Don't forget to share...

14 comments:

  1. Perfect timing Kim. I was just about to look for something like this. My youngest daughter starting paddling and she needs a little something after school to give her the energy to get through her workouts. I am sure she will love it.

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  2. Oh my, I made cocoa almond granola over the weekend, and I know exactly what you mean. That tasty stuff is a slippery slop! The clusters are my favorite part, so I'd polish these off in 30 seconds! Looks like you'll just have to make another round :-)

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  3. My hubby wants me to make some granola for him to put on his yogurt. I think that I found the perfect recipe!

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  4. This looks so tasty! I love granola, but don't eat a lot of it because the store bought stuff is filled with all sorts of things I don't like. This looks great!

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  5. Peanut butter granola is my favorite! Love that you turned it into a snack.

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  6. My lips are sealed, lol. I might have to keep that stuff away from myself too. I want to make my own granola to keep on had, but I just can't stop myself either. Maybe we need to keep it in a locked container? I can't believe how talented Liv is with her dance, tell her to keep up the good work.
    -Gina-

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  7. I would have eaten all of these too. In a heartbeat!

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  8. That's the best recommendation, Kim: you ate it all and didn't share. That happens to me from time to time too...hello last weekend's icebox eclair dessert! Have a great weekend...

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  9. Hilarious Kim - I can see how you could eat this all by yourself!

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  10. Kim, you are so funny, I thought I was the only one who did stuff like this. I can totally understand why you ate it all up, it looks and sound fabulous, and addictive!

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  11. Shhhh. I won't tell. :) I would have eaten these all in secret too and not shared. :)

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  12. Don't feel bad. These wouldn't have stood a chance around me either. :)

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