Shannon's Kitchen Creations

Fruity Oatmeal Chocolate Bars

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (not instant)
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup  softened butter
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1/2 cup dried Cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped mixed dried fruit (apples, apricots, plums)
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup white chocolate chipsDIRECTIONS:

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well.

3. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture mix well.

4. Chop dried fruit (not cranberries) then toss in a small amount flour until not sticking together.

5. Stir in dried cranberries, mixed fruit, oatmeal and 2 types of chocolate into mixture.

6. Press into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.  Bake for 20- 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Then cut into squares or rectangles (to make granola bars). Wrap each one in saran wrap. You can freeze these in a big freezer bag and then pull out one for a snack or for lunch boxes.

I love quick breads. No yeast or waiting required. I like the fact that you can do mini muffins, regular size muffins or different size loaves all with the same recipe. They are also healthy and my kids like them for snack and breakfast. I like this one because I can freeze the cranberries forever and I always have orange juice in the house. You can substitute other types of nuts or omit them all together. I love it toasted with butter or cream cheese. I hope these recipes have been enjoyable for you all to read! Please feel free to leave comments or questions and if you know any other people that would enjoy the blog, please feel free to share! Healthy meatloaf (filled with veggies) and amazing butter cake are on the menu for next week!

Cranberry Orange Pecan Bread

Ingredients:

3/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2  tablespoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 egg
1 1/2 cups Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
1/2 cup chopped  pecans
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray pam in  a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan or 3 mini loaf pans.

2. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add  orange juice, orange peel, oil and egg. Mix until well blended.

4. Then stir in cranberries and pecans. Spread evenly in loaf pan.

5. Bake for 55 minutes for large pan or 45 minutes for 3 small pans or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool  for 15 minutes.