Coconut Almond Granola Bars

Coconut is one of those flavors that you either love or hate. Very seldom does a person say, "I kinda like coconut, only in a Pina Colada or something..." The coconut haters usually recoil in horror from the suggestion of this lovely little tropical fruit by taking a full step back, and then poking at whatever you do offer them by way of food with suspicion, for fear a fleck of the sweet stuff may have landed in their muffin.
 I, however love coconuts. I drink coconut water several times a week, and love it in everything from granola to soup, and am always looking for something to put it in. I even wear essential oil with a hint of coconut, because it makes me feel like I'm on a beach in Hawaii and not a beach in Wisconsin during our lovely summers. Plus, it's hiking season, and I love making granola bars along for the trail, even if they do end up a mushy blob in the bottom of your pack from time to time.

Coconut Almond Granola Bars

- 1 box crispy brown rice cereal

-1/2 cup oats

-1/2 cup shredded coconut

-1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips

-1/2 cup chopped or slivered almonds

-1/2 cup + 2 T. almond butter

- 1 cup brown rice syrup

-3 T. butter

-1 T. canola oil

Directions: Lay a sheet of parchment paper in a 9x13 inch pan and spray with non-stick spray. In a bowl, combine cereal, coconut, almonds and stir to combine. In a sauce pan combine almond butter, brown rice syrup and butter and melt over low heat until just combined. Mix wet with dry mixture and stir until combined. Press into pan. In saute pan, melt chocolate, canola oil and almond butter until just combined and spread over top of bars. Garnish with coconut and almonds. Chill until chocolate is set then store at room temperature up to 1 week.

Wallah! A superb little snack quicker than you can say "I love coconut"! They're chewy, sweet, and taste just  like summer to me. I cut them into strips and occasionally freeze some or take them to work or a party.

I use shredded coconut with big flakes, just because I like the look of it. Beware of the addition of Propylene Glycol to the coconut you buy, a nasty little additive that has no place in your treats. I've found it lurking in a few popular brands, much to my dismay.

These are an awesome snack for a grad party or a picnic, and are so much cheaper and cleaner than buying granola bars. This same recipe idea can be used in many a form and concoction, with a little imagination, the granola bar possibilities are endless.