When I told you I was taking a monthlong break … I kind of forgot about a few things I had promised to do. Oops!
First, I was lucky enough to participate in the Secret Recipe Club at Amanda’s Cookin’ this month! It’s a fun swap where you are assigned a blogger and make a recipe from his or her site. Someone else will make a recipe from my site, too! But none of us know who’s been assigned to our site.
I made a recipe from Itzy’s Kitchen. Erica is eight months pregnant and still teaching fitness classes. So, yeah, we’re so much alike! (Ahem.) She seems like a sweet girl, though, and her recipes are healthful and good for those watching their waistlines.
I want to involve Libbie in cooking one day, so I decided to see what I could find on Itzy’s Kitchen. When I saw Chocolate Coconut Oat Granola Bars, I knew they would be perfect for cooking with a toddler. Why? One bowl. Lots of ingredients for Libbie to dump in. Plus, granola bars are pretty much her favorite food on the planet.
I made a few adaptations to the recipe to just use what I had on hand—which Erica recommended, anyway! Here’s what I did to the recipe.
Chocolate Coconut Oat Bars
adapted from Itzy’s Kitchen
1.5 cups oats
.5 cup unsweetened coconut
.75 cup all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
.5 cup packed brown sugar
.5 tsp cinnamon
.25 cup raisins/craisins (I used a mixture)
.5 cup chocolate chips (I used chopped-up baking chocolate, because that’s what I had)
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all dry ingredients well; then add in oil and eggs. Stir until combined.
Spray a baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Press mixture into the bottom. Bake 20-25 minutes on 350 until firm.
Let cool completely in pan, then cut into bars. I used a brownie pan (11×7, I think) and it made 14 bars.
And hey, speaking of cooking with kids …
On Wednesday, I’m co-hosting a chat about cooking with your kids during summer over at the Motherhood. It’s called “Reddi” for Fun Summer, and we’ll chat about making cooking fun and educational for your kids, swap summer menu ideas, and brainstorm some yummy desserts.
Click on that link and join us for the chat Wednesday, June 15, at 1 p.m. Eastern time.
The Motherhood chat is sponsored by ConAgra, and I will be compensated for my time.
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Coconut, chocolate and oats…what a yummy combination! Who says you can't have your chocolate and be healthy too?
Great choice for this month's event. I use all sorts of coconut in baking and just love it. I'm always looking for a good granola bar so thanks for trying this one out and sharing.
Those bars look great! We have a bake sale at work coming up and they might just be what is served. Gotta check with my baker (I'm just the chef!).
I say toddler schmoddler…easy one pan cooking even better when you're older and busy! I love the combination of coconut, chocolate and oats…sort of an Almond Joy granola bar!
Those look A-MAZE-ING.
How cute that your daughter got to help. These do look great!
Looks wonderful, a definite great snack.
Love your blog! And how cute is Ms. Libbie??? ah! This is a great recipe to do with kids. I can't wait to make it with my peanut. Hope you have a great afternoon.
Yum, these look like a perfect snack! Adorable photo
I really like to make homemade granola bars too. I usually line the pan with parchment paper and make them thinner, though.
The recipe swap idea is fantastic!
What a great way to get the little one involved! These look so delicious =)
My kind of treat!
Love that your lovely Libbie helped with the cooking.
Yum! Coconut and chocolate…delicious! Great pick for the SRC
What a cute little helper. The bars look amazing, they've got all my favorite stuff in it
Oh my gracious! Yummy!
I love to see kids in the kitchen! Mine are all grown now but I take great pleasure in knowing that both of my boys like to create in the kitchen just like their mom!
I love homemade granola bars. Those in particular look just like my kids' favorite store bought version.
Hose granola bars look delicious and you have a cute little helper
I wanted to invite you to come by and share your recipe today at These Chicks Cooked Recipe spotlight. Have a blessed day 
Katie
We make a lot of snack bars and chocolate coconut ones are our favorite flavor. I need to try this recipe asap!
This would make an awesome snack for us to eat at the $1.00 movies this summer. We usually pack some goodies to take with us instead of spending $$$ there.
Those definitely look kid-friendly – I know my boys would love them!
Looks so yummy… and will make such a great snack for a toddler.
Am going to try and get mine to help with these!
These bars look so healthy and lovely! Happy to be a part of SRC and get to know you
You have a lovely space and am off to browse your recipes.
Would you think badly of me if I melted chocolate chips all over the top of those bars? Yum!