Oatmeal Spice Cookie Bars

Baby, it's cold outside.

As I was walking to school, my ankles and feet were aching. Yes, aching. 

By the time I got inside, I was sure they needed to be amputated.

Over-exaggerating? I think not. Take a look for yourself...

Today's high was 8 degrees F. Tonight it's going to get down to -4 degrees.
But I can't complain too much because my family went to church in -10 degree weather last week.
It's at those times when I am grateful that I don't live in Wyoming anymore.

Let me tell you something though. When the weather is cold, there is something I do best.
I bake treats.
Tasty tasty treats.
All for me (and my husband too, if I am feeling nice enough).
And today I made Oatmeal Spice Cookie Bars.

Oatmeal Spice Cookie Bars

• 1/2 cup quick oats 
• 1 cup raisins 
• 1 cup almonds (I tried 1/2 cup almonds + 1/2 cup sunflower seeds...super tasty)
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• a pinch of salt (to taste)

In a food processor or blender, add in the oats, raisins, and nuts. Pulse the blades until coarse crumbs form. Turn off machine and add in honey, vanilla and salt. Blend well. 

Take out mixture and place in a bowl or into your hands. Form the mixture into a ball, using your hands. (It should look and feel like cookie dough at this point.) Press dough into a sprayed 8x8 pan. 

Cut into squares and place in a ziploc baggie. Store in the freezer or fridge.

(inspired by this girl)

As for me, I am going to go warm up with a blanket, some cookie bars, and a good book.
Stay warm, everyone!

Peanut Butta and Choco Chip Granny Bars

I am obsessed with peanut butter.
And chocolate.
And granola bars.

And the three of them together? DIVINE.

These "no-bake" little guys are incredibly simple to make. Just mix together and put in a pan.
My mouth is watering just at the sight of them.


Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

(makes one 9x13 pan...about 15 bars, depending on how much you eat yourself...)

• 2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
• 2 cups oats
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup flax seed
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1. In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal, oats, and flax seed. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a medium size bowl, heat the honey and peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute (just until bubbling), then remove from microwave and stir in vanilla, salt, and cinnamon until smooth. Pour over the cereal and oat mixture, and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips (I put them in at the end so they do not melt!)
3. Press into the prepared pan using the back of a large spoon. Allow to cool (I put them in the freezer), then cut into squares.
4. Eat as many as you can.

Ideas for add-ins: toasted coconut (favorite!), peanuts, almonds, walnuts, white chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, sprinkles :)

You wanna know something sort of embarrassing?
I used to have another blog back in the day.
Yep, I did.
It was called Hinckley Health and Happiness  (dork alert!)
Please don't judge me for it's layout. I was just a baby when I started it!
Okay, it was only 2 years ago...
But being 19 makes me a baby, right? :)
But seriously. Every time I look at it I just laugh. My recipes were great. My food photography skills and overall layout = not my greatest work.
Not saying that I am amazing at photography now...that is most definitely not true.
But I have come a long way since then.
Yay me :)

I started making these granola bars over a year ago and I haven't been able to stop since. AND I haven't even gotten sick of them yet! It's a miracle. Here is the link to them on my old blog.

My good friend Jessica is serving a mission for the LDS Church right now, so I just had to send her some in the mail...food is meant to be shared with those you love :)

And these cute little guys just had to be bagged up.
Off you go!

Okay, so this is a little random and silly, but I want to start asking questions to all my readers...

So today's question is:

What is your favorite kind of granola bar?

(Feel free to reply in the form of a comment on this post)