Sometimes at the end of the work day, I need a quick pick-me-up on the train ride home and to tide me over during my workout. I try to keep things healthy and not grab something bad at the local deli and lately I’ve taken to keeping some kind of granola bar in my knapsack for that quick bite.

Of course, those quick bites can be chock full of calories also, so I try to be careful about what I grab. Because of that, the thought of making my own bars with my favorite things popped into my head and after scouring the Net, I’ve come up with this Nutty Granola Bar recipe.

Nutty Granola Bar

1/2 cup melted Almond Butter (you can substitute peanut butter)
1/4 cup fat free condensed milk (not evaporate – condensed! The really thick sweet stuff)
4 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup honey (or agave syrup **warning** agave is way sweeter!)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts/almonds/peanuts)
1/4 dried cranberries (or raisins)

You can also mix into the above:

Flaxseed
Chia Seeds
Chocolate Chips
Butterscotch Chips
Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9×13 pan.

Mix all of the above in a bowl. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more almond butter and/or condensed milk. Press the mixture into the 9×13 pan. Cook for about 25 minutes.

Take it out of the oven and let it cool a little bit. Cut out your squares or bars while it’s still hot. It’ll make it easier to get them out of there when they are cool. This will make about a dozen bars for you.

If you are lactose intolerant and can’t handle the condensed milk, substitute more almond butter and/or peanut butter for the milk. Also, if you find it’s too sweet, also substitute the nut butter for the condensed milk.