Granola Bars

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

½ cup seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, something, optional)

1 cup nuts

½ cup wheat germ

½ cup honey

¼ cup dark brown sugar

3 tablespoons of flax seed oil. (Can use butter but I went healthy)

2 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp salt

1 ½ cup dried fruit. (Any kind)

Line a 9X9 glass baking dish with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spread oats, seeds, nuts, and wheat germ on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine honey, brown sugar, flax seed oil, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.

Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 15 mins. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

I usually leave on counter covered overnight and cut the next day.

Bagels

Whether you make just one type of bagel or enjoy an assortment they are always a good morning treat.

Ingredients:
1 cup of warm water (microwave to tea temp)
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tbs active dry yeast
2 1/5 cup bread flour
whatever your pleaseure is for the topping

Directions:
If in a bread maker:
Add to machine in this order.
Water
Oil
Salt
Flour
make a well in the flour for yeast
Place bread maker on dough setting and let it do it's thing.

If with dough hook or by hand:
mix salt, flour and yeast together and set aside. Add liquid to bowl and mix in dry ingredients until well incorporated and dough forms. Continue kneading dough on low speed for 10 to 15 mins. of by hand for 15 mins.

White Chocolate, Cranberry, Pecan Crunches

It is always comforting to know that when the day has gone awry and I am completely frustrated I can bake something sweet and take it to work. I don't usually eat my creations. I know it sounds ridiculous that someone could make cookies, cakes, pies or the like and not touch them but the joy I get is from the baking itself. So, it is nice to know that I work with people who don't mind my cooking and are equally excited to receive the treats as I am to make them. 

Some days that is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Ingredients:

¾ cup brown sugar

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla

2 ¼ cup of all-purpose flower

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 egg

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup crushed pecans

1 cup cranberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375.

Using an electric mixer, Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter until it well incorporated and looks like a sticky cornmeal mixture. Add egg, vanilla, salt, and baking soda and mix until well incorporated. Add in flour a little at a time mixing until you have a sticky dough formed. Pour in white chocolate chips, crushed pecans, and cranberries and mix with spoon or with hands until incorporated.

Make ½ inch sized balls and place on greased cookies sheet or one covered with parchment paper. Bake for 18 to 20 mins or until browned. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack and cool.

Makes 4 dozen, or make 5 and freeze the dough until next time.