Barn Inn Granola Bark Recipe from The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast

Barn Inn Granola Bark

In a recent trip to Florida I was given a bag of Granola Bark by my daughter in law.  I have never considered myself a fan of granola and typically do not eat it, but after the first bite, I was a dedicated fan of this delicious snack that was not too sweet and quite addicting.  It is produced and sold through a large chain grocery store.  Upon arriving back to our Millersburg, Ohio, Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, I began a quest to replicate the recipe.  Unable to obtain the exact ingredients, I formulated my own.  It might be slightly sweeter; however, it is incredibly better and I've included ground flax meal, which is a very healthy ingredient.

This took about 45 minutes to prepare the grains, spices, and syrup, and another 30 minutes for baking.  One bite and you will be convinced.

Barn Inn Granola Bark

Ingredients

3 Cups regular oatmeal
1 cup raw sliced almonds
1 cup whole raw almonds
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup raw, hulled sesame seeds
1/2 cup chopped dried apples or raisins
1/3 cup flax meal
2 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 cup honey
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

1.  Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line a 11 1/2" x 17 1/2" cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray paper with cooking spray or simply use only a cookie sheet that has been sprayed.

2.  Place the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax meal, dried fruits and spices in a large mixing bowl and combine.

3.  In a small, heavy saucepan combine honey, corn syrup, cream, and butter.  Using a candy thermometer, cook on low until temperature reaches 250 degrees, which is hard ball stage.  After reaching hard ball, stir in sea salt and vanilla and remove from heat.

4.  Pour the hot liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well with a rubber spatula or large spoon.  You will have just enough liquid to act as a "glue" to hold the grains together.  Quickly press the granola onto the prepared pan and press firmly into the cookie sheet.  Bake for approximately 30 minutes. 



Barn Inn Granola Bark - A Nutritious Snack

 5.  After the granola has cooled, use a knife to cut into desired size pieces. The granola will be firm but chewy.  Store in an air-tight container or zip-lock bags. Good, good, good!

Great sources for grains and baking ingredients are the many bulk food stores in Ohio's Amish Country.

The Ashery Country Store, conveniently located on SR 241, is situated several miles north of Mt. Hope and offers a broad selection of nuts, grains, and fruits, along with hundreds of other baking items and meats and cheeses.

Berlin Bulk Foods situated in the heart of Berlin offers a broad selection of gourmet seasonings, spices, cereals, meats, and cheeses all packed into this small location with an enormous inventory. 

Walnut Creek Cheese is one of Holmes County's largest income-producing businesses.  They offer what is probably the largest selection of all your baking needs.  They also carry fresh produce, meats, cheeses, Mudd Valley Creamery Ice Cream, and more.  This location has a bakery, lunch counter, cannery, kitchen/housewares department - a must go to location.



Troyer's Country Market

 Troyer's Country Market carries a lot of fresh produce, features a deli, many food samples, a good selection of grains and cereals.

Submitted by Loretta Coblentz
December 29, 2011