Trail Mix Bars Recipe

Trail mix is a traditional favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers and backpackers. What makes this such a staple is the ability to take the basic recipe and modify the ingredients to suit your own particular taste. If the recipe calls for peanuts but you are not a big fan, substitute almonds and so on. Taking trail mix one step further is to combine the same ingredients into a bar that may be more convenient in some instances than loose mix.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Trail Mix Bar Recipe

Things You’ll Need:

Oven Mixing bowl Mixer 9-by-15-inch pan Wooden spoon 4 cups rolled oats 1 cup flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2/3 cup butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup chocolate chips or yogurt chips 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins 1/2 cup chopped almonds or other nuts
Oven
Mixing bowl
Mixer
9-by-15-inch pan
Wooden spoon
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips or yogurt chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 cup chopped almonds or other nuts

Step 1

Preheat an oven to 325 degrees and place a baking rack near the center of the oven. Prepare the 9-by-15-inch pan by lightly greasing the entire inner surface with butter.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, baking soda and honey. Use a lower setting as the batter mixture will be thick and heavy.

Step 3

Add the remaining ingredients by folding them into the batter rather than stirring. Folding involves small upward turning motions with the batter, which will prevent the ingredients from becoming too mashed or crushed.

Step 4

Transfer the batter mixture to the 9-by-15-inch pan. Press the dough out with your hands and fingers so that it evenly covers the entire surface of the pan and fills the corners. This will help ensure the bars cook evenly and are of the same thickness when done.

Step 5

Bake the bars for around 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the pan and allow to cool completely. Cut the bars into squares or rectangles and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

The great thing about these bars is the ability to add and take away ingredients. With the basic ingredients in place you can substitute your favorites to create a unique trail bar. Keep in mind when substituting that proportions must still be observed and it may be necessary to cut larger dried fruits or nuts so that they will be evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Use caution when baking as it is easy to burn your hands or forearms with oven doors or racks. Use oven mitts or a dry towel to insert and remove pans. Take care where the hot pan is placed once it is removed from the oven. A cooling rack is the ideal location to place a hot pan.

Article Written By Tara Dooley

Tara Dooley has written for various websites since 2008. She has worked as an accountant, after-school director and retail manager in various locations. Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and finance.

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