Sometimes having everything neatly wrapped up all in one place can be a great thing... especially when you have a 50lb bag on your back or just a couple of unhappy campers...
... that's why we can't live without these...
... wonderful chewy energy packed homemade cherry-coconut-almond (with a hint of lime) trail mix bars.
... simple and fun to bake (especially with kids!)...
... they'll make sure you and your band of merry explorers will never have to turn back early.
Chewy Cherry-Coconut-Almond Trail Mix Bars:
2 Cups Rolled Oats
1/2 Cup Flour
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/3 Cup Melted Butter
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
1 Cup Sliced Almonds
1 Cup Dried Cherries
1/2 Cup Coconut Flakes plus some for topping (Sweetened or Non-Sweetened)
A Dash of Lime Zest.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients except lime zest together in one bowl. Then in a separate bowl, mix the melted butter with the maple syrup and the lime zest.
Drizzle the butter/syrup mixture over the dry ingredients and toss with a fork until well incorporated. Press into a parchment lined baking sheet in a layer about 1 inch thick. If your pan is too large for a 1" thick layer simply form a rectangle in the center of the pan that is 1" thick (the dough will not spread). Sprinkle coconut over the top.
Bake at 325 for 10 to 15min or until golden brown. Then broil for just a moment (don't walk away... it will burn) to crisp the coconut topping.
Let cool completely and cut into rectangles. Makes 16 bars.
Happy Trekking!
*Last time in Recipes: Stories from the Garden