Chocolate and Coconut Granola Squares

Today I want to share with you a recipe for a snack that is tasty, healthful and easy to make. I saw a recipe for delicious looking chocolate granola bars on the wonderful blog-- Dinner, Dishes and Desserts I modified the recipe a bit to make them more tempting to my mom, adding coconut and almonds and toasting the oatmeal with them. 

This simple-to-make snack does not have heaps of sugar added, just a ¼ cup of honey and the sugar in the peanut butter, coconut and chocolate chips. Yet it tastes sweet and decadent.  Rather than oil or butter, these have coconut oil which is reported to be more healthful and perhaps even beneficial.  In addition, some coconut oils give a subtle hint of coconut flavor, which is enhanced by adding toasted shredded coconut.

The coconut, oatmeal, and almonds are all toasted with some coconut oil before everything is combined. Toasting brings out some more natural sweetness and a delicate crunch. Everything together creates a pleasing blend of flavors and textures that was a hit with the little boys I take care of and my mom, who is always in need of heathful, sweet snacks. Enjoy!

 And go check out the blog- Dinner, Dishes and Desserts.

Chocolate and Coconut Granola Squares

Adapted from granola bars by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

¼  cup coconut oil

1/3 cup peanut butter, natural, low sugar prefered

1/3 cup honey, try to get organic, local

2  Tbsp. coconut oil

1 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

2  Tbsp. coconut oil

 2/3  cup shredded sweetened coconut

 ½ cup sliced almonds

1/2  cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Put 2 TBSP coconut oil in rectangular baking pan and place in oven as it preheats to melt. Mix oats, coconut and almonds and toast in 350 oven for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice until coconut is browned. Do keep an eye on it so that it does not burn. Remove around 2 TBSP to sprinkle on the top

Line a 8x 8 pan with aluminum foil.

Meanwhile, In a small sauce pan heat coconut oil, peanut butter, and honey over a medium heat. Once melted and fully combined, mix in semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir until the chocolate chips are melted. Next add oats, coconut and almond slices and blend well. Spread into prepared 8×8 pan. Sprinkle the reserved 2 TBSP of oat mixture over the top.

 Put in fridge until completely set. Remove from pan to  cutting board and cut into squares. Store in fridge.