Cookie Bars

This is a super easy recipe that my mom used to make for us when we were little. I was recently looking for a good cookie/brownie alternative and remembered these. They are so good and so simple! I also like to freeze half the batch after they cook and cool so that I can have them on hand for an impromptu dessert. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

-1/2 c butter
-1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs (I make my own in my mini cuisinart but buying the pre made is a good timesaver)
-1.5 cups chocolate chips (if you are in the mood, you can swap in PB chips for a change)
-1 and 1/3 cups coconut flakes (I prefer sugar free)
-1 cup chopped walnuts
-1 can sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350.
-Melt butter in a 9x13 pan (I usually stick both in the oven while it's preheating)
-Mix graham cracker crumbs in with the butter to make the "crust," then press the mixture firmly into an even layer on the bottom of the pan.
-Layer the rest of the ingredients in the order listed.
-Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over everything.
-Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until cookie bars are golden brown.

Homemade Granola

I recently made this for my sister's bachelorette party so the girls would have something healthy to eat for breakfast and to snack on. It is super easy and totally worth the 10 minutes it takes to put everything together. If you would like, you can add dried fruit after you bake it so that you have something you can take on the go that's got some fruit mixed in. I love to eat it in the morning for breakfast with vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit, and sometimes I'll even make a strawberry ice cream cone and dip it in the granola. It is awesome, inexpensive, and so good for you.

Ingredients:

-2 cups rolled oats (not quick cook)

-1 cup shredded coconut (I use unsweetened)

-1 cup sliced almonds

-1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or cashews

-1/3 cup olive oil

-1/4 cup honey

-1 tsp cinnamon

-1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

-Preheat the oven to 300.

-In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla.

-In a large bowl, toss the oats with the nuts and coconut.

-Pour the liquid over the oats and stir until everything is evenly coated.

-Spread onto a cookie sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes, mixing the granola every 20 minutes to make sure it cooks evenly.